Well, I’m positive that the bullpen is a major weakness, and I’m positive it will prove to be what takes us down if it’s not addressed.

I’m not even sure Thoppy can continue to measure until closer to the deadline.

Here’s how I react when each of our relievers come into a game, including Viz who should be back in a few days, and excluding Parsons who was already informed he’s heading back to AAA:

VizcainoI’m confident

AJ MinterI’m confident

DanWinklerI’m confident

Shane CarleI’m fairly confident

P MoylanI’m praying

Luke JacksonSorry he’s being called onagain

S FreemanI’m praying

Jesse BiddleI’m confident

We desperately need 3 things to happen, and to happen soon.

#1, we need Luiz Gohara to get his head back on straight and help us out in middle innings. Who would you have rather seen come into yesterday’s 7th inning – Sam Freeman or Luiz Gohara? ‘Nuff said.

#2, we need to give up on Luke Jackson, whom we know is never going to be any better, and swap him out for Max Fried, who actually has real potential. Unless Fried’s being preserved as a starter for trade purposes, go ahead and move him into a role where he can contribute now. His most likely role in ATL is in the pen anyway. He’s not starting over Newk, Folty, Soroka, Allard, Julio, Gohara, etc. See what I mean? He’s be a heckuva lot better in this pen than Jackson, who has already passed cleanly by all 29 other teams through waivers twice this season. That means not only does nobody else want him, apparently we don’t either. Yet here he is.

#3, we need AA to make a deal for a reliever and show both the team and the fans that management is serious about 2018. The longer he waits, the more he shakes the faith of the faithful. Instead of taking 2 of 3 from each respective league’s cellar dweller, we lost both series. We could be sitting today 5 game up on the 2nd place Phils and 5 1/2 game up on the Nats. Instead we’re allowing them to stay close while we go on a 10 game road trip against 3 of the best teams in baseball.

Want to really make a commitment? Go to Oakland and deal for both closer Blake Treinen and 3B Jed Lowrie.

Blake Treinen

Jed Lowrie

Lowrie is having a really solid year at the plate and is only signed through the end of this season and would not block the incoming Austin Riley. Treinen would either be our closer or a solid lock down 8th inning guy. We need both. Having Winkler/Minter/Treinen/Viz at the back end of the bullpen shortens the game.

Keone Kela

Adrian Beltre

Want to really make a splash, go to TEX and deal for their closer Keone Kela and 3B Adrian Beltre. That would put all of baseball on notice that we’re serious about contending for a title. The flamethrowing Kela is 20/20 in save opportunities, is controllable through 2021, and is on the block because TEX is in a position with him in similar fashion to the way the Braves were with Kimbrel a few years ago. What good does it do to have a top closer when you’re a losing team? And they’d do Beltre a real solid favor by letting him go to a contender rather than languish on a loser. Can you imagine him hitting in the cleanup spot in our order?

There are already rumblings that the Braves are interested in Beltre. Alone he won’t even bring back a top 100 guy. But I’d much rather see them go for the ring and snag Kela too. That’d be a major coup.

I have not seen it officially announced, but hearing that Max Fried will be making the start tomorrow in Brandon McCarthy’s place. That almost certainly spells the end of the line for either Peter Bourjos or Danny Santana, and my money is on saying bye-bye to Bourjos. DanTana is younger, a switch-hitter, and simply a better all around player. There is a small whisper that Ryan Flaherty could also be on the bubble with the emergence of Charlie Culberson. But I can’t see it. Snit loves Flaherty, and to be honest I like him on the roster too… at least for now. I imagine we’ll get the formal announcement after tonight’s game.

It’s a little convenient that Fried gets a chance to make a ML start or 2. I imagine his name will be tossed around as Thoppy seeks another veteran starter and reliever. Not that I want to send him packing, but you have to give quality to get quality. So here’s hoping he opens some eyes and increases his own value over the next week.

It’s still a full week until the draft signing deadline, so it isn’t time to panic yet. But the Braves still have 3 players in their Top 10 unsigned, those being #1 pick Carter Stewart, #4 pick Tristan Beck, and #9 pick Ryan Shetter… all pitchers.

With Stewart, the two sides may be waiting for the guy right in front of him, P David Weathers (SD), to sign. Stewart’s “slot value” is $4,980,700, but all the players around him have signed under slot. Not sure which side is holding up a deal, but as we know, if the Braves fail to sign him they also lose that slot amount from their total pool. They won’t allow that to happen. Both sides are motivated to get a deal done, so I don’t anticipate a problem.

As for Beck, his delay could simply be a waiting game. He was hurt much of the season causing him to plummet in the draft, but his value is considered to be much higher. It’s widely expected he’ll receive a bonus above his slot value ($497,800). Both sides likely are waiting to see what Stewart and to a lesser degree Shetter sign for to see how much of the total pool allowance the Braves have left to work with.

No idea what might be holding up Shetter, but the Braves are systematically getting these deals done inking 2 more in the last 2 days. He may just simply be the next in line. And his college team, Texas Tech, was just in the College World Series so he might be taking his time before becoming a professional and having to go to work. Hard to blame him for that. 🙂

To make room on the 25 man roster, McCarthy has been placed on the 10 day DL… knee sprain/discomfort.

Well, that along with Wes Parsons being optioned opened the roster spots for both Wisler and RAJ to return.

Wisler back to Gwinnett.

With the return of RAJ , we are carrying 1 less pitcher than we have all season. But that shortage is in the rotation until tomorrow when Fried will be activated. So the corresponding move almost has to be jettisoning a surplus OF. At any rate, they won’t do (or announce) anything until tonight’s game is complete.

It’s more likely Wisler will hang around until Viz is ready to return from the DL, possibly as early as Sunday. Then he’ll be sent back… or Luke Jackson will be DFA’d again… or Sam Freeman will have to go on the 10-day DL with some sort of discomfort somewhere. Those “discomforts” crop up conveniently sometimes.

Or, if Julio fails to go at least 6 innings and Wisler has to pitch a couple again, he could be sent back before tomorrow to bring back a fresh arm. Julio has to give us a good outing tonight. Anything short of 6 IP will be disastrous.

CAVEAT: Should Ender’s oblique tweak from Wednesday be more serious than the team has led us to believe, a DL stint for him could be in order opening up the necessary roster spot for Fried. Let’s pray that isn’t in the cards. (See what I did there? “Cards”?)

It should be noted that the team has not yet announced their lineup for tonight. They typically do that around 4-ish… although sometimes a little later.

I am anxious to see it. I’m anxious to see both Ender’s and Ozzie’s name listed. I’ll be just a little nervous until then. Hopefully both Ender’s oblique and Ozzie’s toe (toes are NOT to be trifled with) are feeling just fine.

Was anyone else holding their breath when Luke Jackson entered the game despite a 4 run lead? That was justified as he still tried to cough up the game. The simple fact that he’s still on our major league roster is the single greatest commentary we can make on the state of our bullpen.

V, first, some fine opining…
it’s just going to suck no matter who gets traded away…its just got to be for someone as good, IMO…
I think my views on Anibel have changed….did you all get to catch the early part of the game? He was working on/with Julio T basically every inning. Julio looked terrible in the 1st, walking 2. Fastball was 91-92..and just looked like it was going to be a long night. seemed from the camera on the two of them all the time, Anabel talking to him, showing him how to turn more in his windup, showing where he was finishing up after a pitch….Julio was paying attention….and he did go 6 innings without giving up a run. Not sure why Julio has lost some off his fastball, I am sure he’d like to have 95 MPH every start, but if anyone can show him how to survive without a great fastball, it’s A Sanchez. And no doubt the younger players see Julio , the grizzled vet of 26 listening, they will listen too. so perhaps it would be better to keep him, as long as he pitches well, if he’s helping a bunch of guys not even old enough to drink….

Another reason we may have to go with the kids closing….how dare the A’s start playing well!

The Athletics are getting calls about their relievers, as a scout tells Peter Gammons (Twitter link) that Blake Treinen, Lou Trivino, and Ryan Buchter have all drawn interest from multiple teams. Treinen has been mentioned as a potential trade chip, though Gammons says that Oakland has declined all offers for the closer. Treinen has two more years of control remaining via arbitration, while Buchter has three and Trivino only made his MLB debut this season. The A’s would surely need quite a bit to part with any of the trio, though a trade isn’t out of the question if the team is considering buying at the deadline. The A’s still have a big deficit to make up in both the AL West and wild card races, though an 11-2 run in their last 13 games has given them an impressive 45-38 record.

Outstanding game by young Mac Fried. Acuna hitting the ball with authority but still making rookie mistakes in the outfield by throwing to the wrong base.

After a really nice inning and 1/3 by Matt Wisler, he suddenly woke up and remembered who he was in the ninth and promptly fell apart. I did not mind the lead off home run surrendered, after all, when your team is leading 11-0, you throw strikes but the following batters got new life and just began teeing off necessitating Snit to burn Freeman to end the game.

Gil, it might be the Mandela effect, but I could have sworn V had mentioned someone else perhaps in the 2016-17 drafts? I don’t know….

they keep acting like it’s so hot in the STL….it’s….92. Humidity is high, but…not that high. That first game, when it was 92 at 7 pm, that’s bad…
Playing on Astroturf, where it was regularly 120 on day games…that’s tough. Yet I still recall a No-hitter the late Bob Forsch where it was 110 + on the field…so I gotta believe Folty just didn’t hydrate properly before the game…
he’s really in bad shape, mouth is forever open… he will be lucky to make it thru 5. 9 strikeouts thru 4, and hasn’t had much control , so to have only given up 1 hit, I shouldn’t complain about Folty…too much 😉
He does need to work on going more than his average of 5 innings, on cooler days…

Low to mid nineties with high humidity, on grass however. I am looking at my weather station which says 93 with 60% humidity for a real feel temp of 103… pretty cool in the house however…

Anyhoo, you are right about Folty being gassed. Just did make it thru 5 innings. His fastball command was way off but his slider was deadly. If the Cards had just laid off pitches, he would have walked the park.

The pen tried to give it back again, my take is the Braves are in exactly the same spot as the Nits last season before the made a trade with the A’s.

If the starters could go seven innings, I think the pen would improve significantly.

Now that the calendar has flipped to July, the trade market ought to begin to heat up significantly. I have a new target on my radar…

Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez.

The 27-year-old lefty is signed thru ’21 on a team friendly 4 yr/$22M pact, with team options for both ’22 & ’23. The Pirates are once again woeful and will be sellers at this year’s trade deadline. Vazquez is flying a little under the radar in PIT and might not cost as much as a Blake Treinen.

So why would the Pirates trade off an affordable and controllable bullpen arm? Well, they don’t have much else that might bring back a decent return for them. And as we will tal about much more in the next 4 weeks, it’s definitely a seller’s market when it comes to bullpen arms. Every team in contention wants one… and some need one (read: Braves).

Do the Braves really need a bullpen arm that badly?

If the starters could go seven innings, I think the pen would improve significantly.

Maybe, but consider this.

Game 3 vs the Reds: Sam Freeman enters the game in the 7th to hold a lead and preserve another quality start by Sean Newcomb. Instead, he gives up 2 hits, a walk and 3 ER… and the lead. The Braves never retook the lead.

Game 1 vs the Cards: Luke Jackson enters the 9th inning with a 5 run lead. He gives up 2 hits and a walk and leaves after getting just 1 out and loading the bases.

Game 2 vs the Cards: Matt Wisler enters the game with a 10 run lead. He gives up 5 hits, more than starter Max Fried had given up, and surrenders 4 ER, and has to be lifted without finishing the 9th, causing Snit to burn another arm to complete the game.

Game 3 vs the Cards: Peter Moylan enters the game in the 7th to try to limit the damage already done by getting his usual 1 out, but instead gives up a fat 3-run homer to Tommy Pham.

That’s simply the last 4 games played.

I think we’ve said it time and time again, Luke Jackson and Matt Wisler are not major league pitchers, Sam Freeman has lost his 2017 mojo, and Pete Moylan is way past his prime. That’s 4 out of the 8 relievers. Half of the bullpen. HALF.

Folks, we cannot make a real concerted push into October with half a major league bullpen.

If the bullpen were even remotely reliable, which they are not, I would consider going with a 7 man bullpen for the next 3 games – you don’t have to worry about lifting your starter for a hitter – and calling up some thunder from Gwinnett.

The Stripers’ 1B Carlos Franco, a freshly named 2018 AAA All-Star, is having a nice season and tied for 3rd in the International League with 11 HR’s. Pretty good for a guy not considered a top prospect.

Why not?

But that is not even remotely a consideration. Not with our sieve of a bullpen.

Since I’m having a conversation with myself right now, I want to pose a question for y’all…

Max Fried should get a second start on Thursday in Milwaukee. If he has a repeat performance, or even close – after all, his last one was really dominating – does he deserve to stay in the rotation? He certainly wasn’t overmatched by a pretty stout St. Louis lineup.

If you keep him in the rotation, you can accomplish a couple of things at once.

#1, you can place Brandon McCarthy in the bullpen when he returns from the DL. That will also accomplish a couple of things. First, It will reduce the stress on his body. After all, it’s not his arm that is balky. It’s the rest of him. And second, it improves the bullpen by a large measure, giving you a really viable long reliever/swing man. Matt Wisler can go away for good.

#2, you can concentrate your trade efforts on the bullpen because the rotation just got suddenly healthier. Yes it’s still young, but it’s dangerous. The starters over the last stretch, including Fried, have been flat out dominating.

Didn’t see the Michael Reed promotion comin’, but Evan Philips immediately improves the bullpen over either Wisler or Moylan.

Does this mean they are in fact going with a 7 man bullpen in New York? Why Michael Reed?

OK… here is the obligatory Michael Reed info: Reed was signed away from MIL as a minor league FA this past offseason in an under the radar move. The scouting report says he is athletic and has above average speed to go along with good power and a “quick bat”. He was promoted to Gwinnett in late May where he has slashed .369/.480/.592 with 5 HR’s in 30 games. Prior to that he slashed .314/.446/.493 with 4 HR’s in 44 games at AA Mississippi. And he plays all 3 OF positions well.

Maybe Thoppy liked my idea of promoting some thunder to DH in NYY? Maybe we need to get to know Michael Reed better.

Or maybe this is a precursor to an impending deal that involves an incoming bullpen arm? Could we be showcasing Reed a little bit? Or maybe a current member of our bench is on someone else’s radar?

Best record in the NL vs. the best record in the AL. If we are stuck with inter-league play, then this is what it should be all about. That said, having the NL East play the AL East every season blows all concepts of equitable strength of schedule.

You know, promoting Reed does seem a little unusual and was completely unexpected. One thing they didn’t do is activate Viz, which was expected.

I can’t help but wonder what’s up? Maybe nothing. Maybe Viz just isn’t ready today. Maybe he gets activated in another day or 2 and Luke Jackson is let go. The bullpen is still in better shape than it was yesterday.

And just thank goodness for sports, I am so sick to death of national politics. So many liars…. I’m just a run of the mill joe but I am not stupid. I understand a lot more than the talking heads on TV realize.

To be honest though, I would rather see a pitcher give up back to back jacks as opposed to walking the park. I cannot be the only occupant of Braves country who gets a sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach when a relief pitcher come in and walks the lead off batter. THROW STRIKES!!!!

Wow. He sums it up pretty succinctly. I guess I could have written my earlier post in 10 words or less if I’d tried…

yeah, but spelled out how badly the team needs help…I mean, we know it, but we all seem to miss bits and pieces of games…I just knew it was 6-1, and all looked well while I was on the phone, came back just a short time later to see 6-5…and it’s happening every night….

Max Fried should get a second start on Thursday in Milwaukee. If he has a repeat performance, or even close – after all, his last one was really dominating – does he deserve to stay in the rotation? He certainly wasn’t overmatched by a pretty stout St. Louis lineup.

Here’s the thing…when you haven’t seen a guy in awhile, (or ever in my case with those still down on the farm) then he’s a trade “piece” (hate that word in reference to players) You get used to a guy, a lefty…”we” aren’t going to want to part with him, are we? the Conundrum (blog first?) it seems to trade young pitchers during the season, you have to show them in the show, to get other teams to risk trading for him. Winter time, they will have to take a chance, rely on scouts in the minors.
Do you give up a Max Friend, for a closer? I really don’t know, but gotta get someone, and soon…
I do not CARE about years of control, on a kid you lose. Obviously , you want to trade for someone that can help more more than this year.

don’t like not having more bullpen arms…the Yanks are a lot better team than the Cards right now…and in case y’all didn’t know, the fences are only 250 feet away in left and right 😛

Matt Wisler is a starter, period. Doesn’t matter what the team wants, or even perhaps what he wants (even being in the bullpen in the majors has to be better than starting in AAA) he can’t come in, in relief.
3 starts this year. 7 innings, 1 run. 5 innings, 4 runs (I could be wrong, but I think Gil and I thought he was pitching great, then the wheels came off , either in the 5th, or the 6th) 5 1/3, 2 runs. he’s still only 25. IF they bring him up again, have him start a couple of games….we could mentally easily part with him, right? 😉

When I watch Fried throw that big hook, and when I see experienced ML hitters just buckle in the box, it just reminds me that this team is loaded, LOADED, with young pitching talent. And even though the old axiom is true – you cannot have too much pitching – you can create a logjam that is not healthy for they organization. At some point they’ll have to cash in some of the young pitching talent for talent in other areas.

But make no mistake… you don’t give up a really talented young pitcher unless you get equal talent in return. JT Realmuto? Maybe not him specifically, but that’s the example. We don’t have a good catching prospect remotely close to the ML level, so we’ll have to go get one. We’ll also have to fill a big OF hole for 2019. One or more of those pitching prospects will be used to fill those holes, and not with a marginal guy either. Thoppy knows what he’s got, and I trust him to bring back real talent in return. That’s how you use the “prospect capital” correctly.

Well, our bullpen actually did an amazing job last night. Of course, there was no Matt Wisler, no Pete Moylan, and Luke Jackson did not enter the arena. Sam Freeman did pitch… and of course walked the first couple of batters he faced. But a well turned double play bailed him out.

Credit where credit is due:

Dan Winkler did not have a clean inning, but he also did not panic. And he missed a few bats.

Jesse Biddle has ice water in his veins and some wicked pitches. That 10th inning was something else.

AJ Minter is getting quite comfortable as closer. You can truly see him growing into the role.

And then there’s Ronald Acuña, Jr. What can you say? And if you saw the 11th inning, you saw a kid calm at the plate, but with alot of emotion after the HR. Think the game is fun for him? He’s making it fun for me too…

Wrist issue has slowed negotiations between Braves and top draft pick Carter Stewart

Aha! That explains a lot.

Okay kid, A little bit of advice, take the $4MM and begin your rehab, you will not make it up later if you are hurt. The sooner you start your career, the sooner you can cash in on really big money if you are good enough. To be sure, $4MM is a pretty nice nest egg to begin your life with as long as you are not stupid, if you are, you will never have enough money.

Speaking of young arms, any idea of what’s up with Carter Steward? Deadline is Friday

At first glance I thought it might now just be a matter of zeroing in on the correct number. He’s the only one left unsigned in their first 10 rounds, and the amount the Braves have left in their pool is just a hair under the slot amount. The slot amount is $4,980,700. The Braves remaining pool sits at $4,949,800. In reality, it should be a perfect snug fit.

But as of about an hour ago, some new information has surfaced.

Eric Cole at Talking Chop reports that:

Over the last week or two, rumors have swirled that there were issues that came up during Stewart’s physical that resulted in the Braves wanting to alter their offer and that those initial terms were not to Stewart’s liking. Lots of different numbers, reasons, and degrees of concern were floated around (yay rumor mills), but the folks at MLB Pipeline have seemingly locked down the current state of things.

According to {the] report, the Braves and Stewart are the furthest apart amongst those with unsigned picks with the Braves currently offering $4 million to Stewart. If the Braves were able to sign him for around that much, the team could make a realistic run at their 34th round pick, Zack Hess which would round the draft class out nicely and help the Braves hedge their bets a bit in light of the results of Stewart’s physical.

This is a tricky situation on both sides. The Braves obviously like Stewart as a player and there is plenty to like, but if the wrist issue is serious enough, the team is right to have concerns with throwing top 10 money at a player with an injury that could slow or hinder his development. The Braves also don’t want to lose the slot value for their first round pick and there is no guarantee that the pick they would get next year (9th overall) if Stewart doesn’t sign will be a player they like as much.

On Stewart’s side, if the reports of a $4 million offer are true, he will be turning down big time first round money in line with what a lot of the prep players are getting in this draft class and betting that when he is eligible to be drafted again, he will make more than that. That’s a hard bet to make as that would require him to play very well and not get dinged for his current injury or get bitten by another injury bug. There are also benefits to being able to rehab with a pro organization’s resources and medical personnel. However, if Stewart is confident in himself, his talent level means that a top 5 selection in a few years isn’t outside the realm of possibility.

IMO, Stewart is getting bad advice from someone. If he’s hurt, then he should sign and get the best rehab available. I cannot blame the Braves for taking he stand they are taking. Maybe they are trying to take advantage of the injury to make a harder run at a later pick, but why not? They are not in the business of being charitable to one guy. They have to look out for the whole of the draft. And Stewart is taking a big chance if he thinks he’s going to play chicken with a professional front office. They will not be the ones to blink first.

To be clear on Stewart, if he decides to bank on himself that he can go to college and get bigger money later, that will be a minimum of 3 years. That’s the rule. You bypass it after high school, you don’t re-enter the draft for 3 years. Alot can happen in 3 years.

AND he doesn’t get the top flight professional rehab for his injury. He gets a college medical staff.

Prediction: Stewart signs for a figure slightly above $4M.. maybe $4.2M. it will be a somewhat moral victory for him, but not a significant difference on the whole picture.

Also, this story didn’t just happen to get out today. It was allowed to get out today. The pressure will now be on the kid, not the team. It’s not a friendly tactic, but the position was forced. Too bad it came to that.

Ya know, just once I would love for someone to ask me to sign on the dotted line on the promise I could make a $4MM bonus.

Bad advice, who is this kid’s agent, Scott Boras?

$4MM bypassed today will never be made up. He won’t get more in three years. He is a high school kid, the road to the Show is littered with pit falls. Ask 90% of the other high school pitchers who have signed a big contract. Heck, you could ask the majority of the college pitchers too.

So, I don’t know who is responsible for stat-cast but they are about as creditable as the New York Times. They listed Stanton’s 8th inning home run as 346 feet when it barley cleared the 314 foot mark in the right field corner. What, are they embarrassed to tell the truth? Okay, I would be too but I digress.

Newk simply did not have it tonight. When you cannot throw your fast ball over for a strike, you are doomed. The Braves made a game of it but fell short.

Afternoon game Wednesday. Here’s hoping “good” Julio takes the mound for the Braves. Going to be another hot one. I don’t think CC will go more than 4 innings in the heat.

I’ve never seen a player sweat like Sean did last night! Every time he leaned forward it didn’t just drip , it poured off of his hat! I didn’t hear a temp for the game, as I missed the first few innings, but looking it up, I saw 82 with 80% humidity. That sounds miserable….
It might have been fear too, can’t imagine what it’s like to be in Yankee stadium, and not have any pitches that night….
had to flip away, as I was expecting a 12-0 blowout, but, Luke Jackson is the man! 😛 V, I guess you are going to have him to kick around for a bit more….
came back, it was 6-5, and I thought Acuna and…well, someone else had hit homers, but warning track power. really felt exciting though…thought they would end up winning the game, but alas, it was not to be….

I missed the game yesterday, but would have been really interested to see CC Sabathia vs. Luiz Gohara. That would have been surreal. I bet the grounds crew had to do some real work on that mound afterward. 😉

Count Nathan Eovaldi on several teams’ wish list. The right-hander started for the Rays Monday night and pitched in front of scouts or representatives from the Cubs, Phillies, Red Sox and Braves. All are contending teams hoping to fill a void they’ve identified.

Tampa Bay’s prudent move in the weeks leading to Major League Baseball’s July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline would be to get what they can from other teams in exchange for valuable pieces, such as Eovaldi, who becomes a free agent after the season.

Eovaldi is in the second year of a two-year deal with the Rays. He missed the first year of the contract while rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery.

The very embodiment of a cheap rental.

Numbers, courtesy of MLBTR: Eovaldi represents an interesting low-cost option for teams in need of rotation help. [He] has returned to post a 3.92 ERA, 49.6% grounder rate, 7.6 K/9, and a minuscule 1.3 BB/9 rate over his first 41 1/3 frames. Eovaldi is also averaging 97mph on his fastball.

In case you missed it, Braves #13 prospect Touki Toussaint was bumped up to AAA Gwinnett over the weekend. According to the Stripers, he’ll make his AAA debut tonight at home vs. Norfolk. He had a 2.93 ERA in his 16 starts this year in AA, with 107 Ks in 86 IP. He may have the best curveball in the organization. It’s control of that curve that’s been holding him back, but he seems to have crossed that point in his development this season. He also has a fastball that can touch 98 but typically sits in the mid-90’s. Add to that the occasional changeup and you can understand why the suits have been excited about him for a while.

No news on Carter Stewart today. Not really worried, though. Both sides are motivated to get a deal done.

The only problem I foresee is that the continued delay could be holding up the signing of the Round 14 pick P Victor Vodnik . Most of the guys after 10 are receiving a $125K bonus, the max allowed that doesn’t count against the pool allotment. But those picks are also typically college players with no negotiation leverage. Vodnik is a HS pitcher. If he’s holding out for more, Stewart’s amount comes into play. Vodnik does have a college commitment in his pocket, but it’s to Cal State Northridge, not exactly a national powerhouse. And it’s not a JUCO, so he would not be eligible for the draft for another 3 years. Is he willing to spend 3 years at Cal State Northridge in hopes of improving his draft position? It would be a huge gamble. He needs to sign.

As of yesterday, the Braves had signed all the picks expected to sign except Stewart and Vodnik. If the reports are correct, the Braves have $4,924,800 left to offer without incurring the monetary penalty. Stewart’s slot value is $4,980,700. As reported earlier, the Braves would like to sign him closer to $4M because of the wrist thing. It should also be noted that every Round 1 pick taken ahead of Stewart has signed under slot.

All that said, and as Tomahawk Take’s Fred Owens notes, the Braves and Stewart reportedly agreed on a deal in principle before they even called his name. My opinion: Teams usually do have a loose agreement in place before making their pick. The Braves were reportedly not aware of the wrist issue when they made that agreement, and are trying now to walk it back a bit. I cannot blame the Braves for that, but I also cannot blame Stewart’s camp for wanting what was agreed to. Both sides need to reach an agreement somewhere in the middle, say $4.4M, leaving the team some real wiggle room allowing them to complete their negotiations with Vodnik.

I expect to hear both have signed before tomorrow’s 5pm deadline, but especially Stewart. It’s in everyone’s best interest to make sure that happens.

Ber, I know you have a long held grudge against him, but the louder this chatter gets, the more you might need to get used to the idea.

There are a couple of new dynamics in play, the biggest being that Manny has said he’s willing to negotiate an extension if he likes the team he’s traded to. That’s a HUGE factor. That might just lure Atlanta further into the fray.

Also, even though the D’backs are showing alot of interest, the Phillies are pursuing him as well, and the Braves and Phillies have the prospects and payroll to make the deal happen.

So now it is more than just trying to add a superstar player to your roster. It’s also about trying to prevent your division rival from adding him. He is the type of player that can tilt the balance of power for years.

Jon Paul Morosi recently stated that the Orioles want young pitching, something both the Braves and Phils have. He speculated they would be interested in Ian Anderson and Max Fried. We can all assume that the Braves would say “no” to that, as they should.

Here’s the second new item that cannot be ignored. Manny has said he desires to play SS for his new team. The Phillies can easily plug him into SS. But what about the Braves? Would the O’s be happy with Ian Anderson and… Dansby Swanson? Would the Braves make that deal? Would the Braves be a better team with Manny at SS and Riley at 3B anyway? I’m not certain Ian Anderson and Dansby Swanson would get the deal done anyway, but they would need to replace their own SS now wouldn’t they?

So for the sake of discussion, if you got deep enough into trade talks that you could talk to Manny’s reps about an extension, and you knew you could lock him up long term, who would you part with to acquire him?

Remember, we’re talking about Manny Machado… a generational talent.

Would you rather have Dansby/Riley or Manny/Johan on the left side of the infield?

The Braves are showing that they are bonafide contenders in 2018. Adding Manny (and keeping him away from Philly) would sew up the division and elevate the Braves to the league’s upper echelon for the foreseeable future. What are you willing to do to get him? Who is untouchable? Who are you willing to offer?

If I’m GM, which I clearly am not, I concentrate on the bullpen. I want 2 to arms… count ’em, 2. I believe that I can win the division, and maybe the league, with just an improvement in my bullpen.

But I can’t let Philly get Machado, especially if there’s a chance of him getting extended there. I really need the Dodgers to be more heavily involved than they are currently. And the Snakes. Either of them.

Remember there was some chatter last week that the Braves might be interested in Adrian Beltre from the Rangers? If they were able to swing that deal, woud that necessarily mean that Johan moves back to the bench? He is, ya know, hitting better than Dansby right now. Interesting, huh?

And the Carter Stewart watch is now officially on. The deadline to get a deal signed is 5pm EDT today. Before we get to the rumor, Let’s lay out the facts that we know…

In April, Stewart felt something in his wrist while hitting for his HS team.

Teams can ask for a prospective pick’s medical records, but cannot do their own physical prior to the draft.

The Braves did their physical after the draft, the results of which “created concerns”.

With those concerns in mind, the Braves have offered Stewart $4,000,000 to sign. His slot value at #8 is $4,980,700. They have $4,927,300 left in their pool before incurring monetary penalties.

They still would like to sign #14 pick HS pitcher Victor Vodnik. He will require an uncertain amount above $125K to sign, and that overage also counts against the total pool amount. The closer the team can get Stewart’s bonus to $4M, the more they have to offer Vodnik.

Should Stewart fail to sign, the Braves will lose the entirety of the $4,980,700 slot amount, which will automatically push them into the monetary penalty area by $59,700 without even considering Vodnik.

The penalty is 1.5 x the overage amount, whatever it might be. (For informational purposes only: If the overage amount itself exceeds 5% of the total pool, the penalty becomes next year’s #1 pick. For the Braves, that would be $413,365. I can see no way they even get close to that.)

Stewart has a college commitment to Mississippi State, one of the best college baseball programs in the nation. A fellow MSU commit, and fellow #1 pick J.T. Ginn (#30, Dodgers) has already announced he’s not signing and he’s going to school.

Now the rumor…

The rumor is that Stewart is really considering honoring his commitment to play at MSU after Ginn’s announcement. They feel they could put together something really special with this class if they both go.

I will be watching this story closely all day. If at any time we see an announcement on Vodnik ahead of an announcement for Stewart, I would consider that a bad omen unless Vodnik’s bonus is really close to $125K.

Chances are greater that there will be just one announcement today, for both players or for one… or for neither. But I don’t expect multiple announcements.

It would be awfully hard for me to turn down $4M, I don’t care how special playing at MSU would be. One more pop in that wrist and he might as well concern himself more about his field of study than his field of dreams.

The latest Manny rumors say the Dodgers are stepping up their pursuit of him. According to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale, they Dodgers are after both Manny and Tigers’ P Michael Fulmer, the guy Coppy used to drool over.

Rather than go after Manny and Fulmer, I’d just as soon see the Braves go after the Rangers’ Adrian Beltre and Cole Hamels. Given the salary amounts attached to each (Beltre – a pro-rated amount of $18M for 2018; Hamels – a pro-rated amount of $23.5M for 2018, and a $20M team option for 2019), the Braves could “buy” their way out of sending off many of their top prospects.

In plain English, the more money TEX is asked to eat, the higher the prospect demand will be.

If Thoppy can get Liberty Media to wake up and see the real earning potential of a deep run in the playoffs, perhaps they can take on some salary and save some youngsters.

Stewart's wrist injury created a definite concern for the Braves. The two parties have not yet been close. But if the Braves have offered at least $1.992 M (40% of the $4.98 M slot value) and Stewart doesn't sign, the team will get another first round pick next year. https://t.co/fOikxulOTh

One last observation about the Carter Steward fiasco. When the number one thing about you is how fast you can spin a curve ball, having a problem with your wrist is a very big deal. Better learn how to hit and become an outfielder…

All righty then, that was a little more like it. Anibal Sanchez spun a gem for 6 2/3 and the pen held serve while Freddie played like Freddie. Let’s get one more tomorrow and end the trip on a winning note.

I think when the Braves set out on what we all expected to be a difficult 10-day road trip, we all would have been quite satisfied if they could split and come home with 5 wins. But today it seems a little disappointing that they are coming home with just 5 wins.

They Braves looked like a real playoff contender in St. Louis, weren’t really out of any losses in Yankee Stadium, and looked tired in Milwaukee.

Interesting that when RAJ was in the lineup, we looked energized and in control. Not so much when he was hurt. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

But the real culprit is simply that this is a young team. They are doing what young teams do. It’s that simple. Sean Newcomb looks like Don Drysdale for 5 games, then looks like Don Rickles for the next 2. Ozzie burns really hot for a couple of weeks, then can’t buy a hit with an American Express Gold Card. Max Fried looks like the best of the young crop in one game, then can’t get out of the 2nd inning the next.

It’s what young teams do. It’s why GM’s with young teams try to supplement the youth with some seasoned veterans.

Here’s another interesting observation…

The bullpen looked pretty good on this road trip. Luke Jackson actually looked like a major league pitcher, and Sam Freeman looks like he rediscovered the keys to 2017. And Jesse Biddle… what a find he’s been.

Where we’ve been praying for 2 additional bullpen arms, it now appears that 1 bullpen arm and 1 veteran starter might be the recipe for October success.

And Thoppy… please please please ignore all the press about Manny Machado. If you want to back up the Brink’s truck after this season and buy him in FA, you won’t hear a peep out of me. But don’t rent him.

I’ll take him for the rest of 2018 and the option year of 2019. I know it’s alot of $$, but solid starting pitching is gonna cost alot of $$. He could easily be the Justin Verlander of 2018. Think the Astros have any regrets about that one? And taking on the full salary saves the quality of prospect going the other way. It’s similar to buying in FA, except you get the help now when you need it.

And as we’ve talked about, expand the deal to get Adrian Beltre. Again, it’s veteran experience, and it’s another powerful bat for the lineup.

I started a no doubt lengthy post the other day, then…like a moron, walked away from the computer for some great reason, no doubt. so…I ended up closing the browser and poof! gone. sigh…
Anyways….I was going to agree with you V, 2 relievers…I still think we need 2, unless we can get a real arm. How can we afford Hamels, and Beltre? Better prospects? sigh….

and Gil, right both times, no way that Yankee stadium homer was any more than 314, and no way yesterdays homer was only 464 that close to center, that high up….

I would have looked a lot smarter calling out FF for not taking a day off….
He of course had several hits in the last 2 games, after hitting I think .155 for a week (someone said that on TV) he actually left a game after being hit in the elbow, but with nothing broken, he was back out there the next game…
at some point, he and Nick will need a day off. I feel like Snit does get just a bit pushed around by the vets (so glad Ender was benched after the popup though) but he needs to tell them they have a game off, say right before a day off like Bobby did at times. You can still pinch hit even, if you want to play 162 for some silly reason….

In my opinion, they didn’t fail to sign him. I believe they decided after having their docs examine his wrist that he wasn’t worth the investment. So they cut bait, made the minimum 40% of slot offer, and will take the #9 pick next year instead.

When your bread and butter is your curve ball, you can’t have a balky wrist. It just doesn’t jive.

Also, reading between the lines you get the idea that Stewart’s camp withheld the existing medicals on him prior to the draft. There was no word at all about the wrist injury, which occurred in April, in any of his pre-draft reports… of which there were a buttload. If it had been known, it would have been reported in one of the hundreds of scouting reports.

The latest whisper from his camp is that he will not attend Mississippi State, instead enrolling in a JUCO so that he can re-enter the draft next year. Perhaps he’ll be more honest.

Yes, Vee, but the Braves still gave up a top 10 pick, I’m sure there were some other prime players available. Still, you are right, you cannot do business with a dishonest broker. But with no first round nor a third rounder, it will haunt them later down the road.

Now, having said that, there was about $5MM that was not spent, Do you think Liberty will let them apply that money somewhere else?

This year, yes. But they’l have 2 of them next year because of it. And as you and I both know, not all these guys pan out anyway… including top picks. The real jewel of this group might be Round 2 pick Greyson Jenista, the big 6’4″ power hitting LH hitter out of Wichita State. He’s the first big time power hitting prospect the Braves have taken in a long time, and this guy has it in spades. And he’s a college guy, a little further along in maturity. He has already advanced past the typical short season rookie leagues (just 10 games in Danville) and was promoted to low-A Rome earlier this month.

In 18 professional games, he has 3 HR, 1 double, and 2 triples. He’s adjusting to the wood bat well, I’d say.

Also, don’t forget about 4th rounder P Tristan Beck, whom many equated to a 1st round talent. He’s another guy with an in-season injury who fell because of it. Only this time the teams were aware of it.

I don’t feel we’re painted in a hole because 1 guy didn’t sign, regardless of the fact it was the 1st rounder. After all, 2014 1st rounder Braxton Davidson is still floundering in the Braves lower minors, never getting a sniff above A ball. There are no guarantees. The strength of a draft is in the Top 10 as a whole, not one guy.

Oh, and next year, we’ll have an extra Round 1 pick. Back to 2014, when the Astros failed to sign their 1st rounder Brady Aiken – also because of medical concerns – they used their 2015 compensatory pick to take Alex Bregman.

I’d say that turned out OK for them. 🙂

And Brady Aiken has had a very Braxton Davidson type pro career in the Indians system, carrying a career minor league ERA of 5.05.

Vee, I’m pretty sure Terry McGuirk is still the guy who has the direct line to Denver.

I was looking at the standings this morning and saw that the Braves actually gained .002 points in the standings overnight.

So, as disappointing as a 5-5 road trip was (funny to say that against three really good teams)… All is not lost. I think it is more in how they lost than the fact they lost. Some really ugly pitching performances last week.

And, I am reminded two pretty stout Braves players were taken in the second round, Brian McCann and Freddie Freeman… So, there is that…

While we drool at the idea of adding a Manny Machado to the Braves roster, I would be happy just to see Freddie return to form which he has shown some signs of doing of late. Now, if we can just get Dansby going again.

Vee, I’m pretty sure Terry McGuirk is still the guy who has the direct line to Denver.

Yes, but I think when they hired AA, he was given the full reigns to the franchise. He may be the one to have sway with the suits. I think McGuirk may have retained his title, but lost his teeth after the Coppy-gate debacle.

While we drool at the idea of adding a Manny Machado to the Braves roster, I would be happy just to see Freddie return to form which he has shown some signs of doing of late. Now, if we can just get Dansby going again.

To be perfectly honest, I’m not drooling over Manny for this year. For 2018, as I’ve already said, I’d prefer Adrian Beltre at 3B and Johan at SS. Dansby can get going again in 2019, unless we go out and sign Manny in FA. Then Dansby can get going… to another city. 😉

And again, that’s not a shot at Dansby. He is what he is at this point in his career… a young, solid performing SS who has alot of room and time to become what we all have envisioned. But he is not Manny. He’s not even Johan right now. For now, I’ll take the best 8 I can put on the field. And if I can buy Manny in the offseason… well, I like ya Dans, but… you know…

I think one of Thoppy’s jobs over the next 3 weeks is to make the suits at Liberty realize that loosening the purse strings in 2018 will pay off not just this year but down the road as well.

Do they even know how much revenue is generated by playoff games? And that the deeper you play into October, the more of that revenue is created?

A deep run in the playoffs can have the capability to pay a single salary.

And can you just imagine how crazy The Battery could be in October?

So when Thoppy takes a break from calling 29 other GM’s, he needs to dial up the mothership in Denver. Or Terry McGuirk. Not sure how that works anymore

Well, it just all boils down to potential then, doesn’t it? “they” are making a lot of money off the team right now, so will they understand that spending a little more now can pay off in spades, now and later, or will they just say to AA, look at all the moola coming in now? Next year is soon enough…..

Let’s not forget though that Liberty Media is a corporation… and I don’t want to fall into the corporation bashing frenzy that our more left leaning friends seem to want to do so freely.

Yes, the powers that be in that corporation are certainly rich people. But the prime duty of the corporate execs is to return a healthy dividend for their shareholders. And they are going to see that duty through to its fullest.

I do not begrudge them that. God bless America.

If I had it my way, the Braves would be owned by a real person, not an entity. But it is what it is. Then again, do we need to talk about Jeffrey Loria? Peter Angelos? Some real people can be bigger nightmares than their corporate counterparts.

That said, I still believe that the team itself can generate more revenue by making a deep run in the playoffs, which will in turn help the corporate bottom line. And that deep run can be had by making a reasonable and responsible investment in the current team.

Just heard some excerpts from a radio interview with Thoppy today. Two things stood out in a big way from what I heard:

First, when asked about persistent trade rumors, Thoppy responded by saying that the rumors we hear and read are probably mostly inaccurate. He went on to say that they spend alot of time and effort keeping their activities under wraps, and that the names they’ve made the most effort toward have not even been mentioned.

Takeaway: He is working hard on something or things, and the name(s) are under the radar.

Second, when asked directly about money, Thoppy stated clearly that there would not be a case of having to pass on a potential deal to help the ballclub because money was an issue. He has the authority to make whatever deals he wants, and the only person he has to notify is in the building… being Terry McGuirk.

Takeaway: It absolutely answers the earlier question of who has the power. Thoppy has the power. He just has to use it responsibly and keep McGuirk in the loop.

Whew, the Jays made Julio work for it the first inning. I don’t know if he is just missing the zone or he is nibbling by design. He is going to need to establish that he can throw strikes so the ump will give him the marginal pitches.

I don’t make it a habit to question Snit, especially given the team’s success thus far. But why does he continue to bat Ender at leadoff? He has the lowest OPS on the team, yet gets the most ABs. Is there a viable reason?

The new “thing” in baseball is to bat your best OBP guy 1st (duh), and your best hitter 2nd. That would be Ozzie – Freddie. But Freddie is loathe to relinquish his #3 spot. And if that’s what Freddie wants, that’s what Freddie gets… he’s earned that.

Last night, I implored Ender via the magic box (maybe the NSA heard me) ((Ender didn’t)) not to swing at the first pitch. He did nearly every at bat. The results was that Stroman had some really easy innings…

I thought the lead off guy was suppose to at least look at some pitches so his team mates could at least get and idea of the strike zone and what a pitcher had that night. I get being aggressive but seriously….

I cannot blame Minter completely for the 8th inning melt down, his defense did not help him out. Dansby’s ole’ was particularly troubling. I looked as if Los Bravos were already taking off for the mid summer break…. These games count just as much as the ones in September.

Ber, you may get your wish soon, and quite honestly, it’s my wish to for the time being. Bowman opines that Luiz Gohara may rejoin the rotation after the ASB. Obviously Mike Soroka is out for at least another month, maybe for the rest of 2018. And Brandon McCarthy’s right knee tendinitis has “not responded” to rest. According to the AJC, he’s not anywhere close to returning anytime soon. Max Fried has been throwing again, but will need a rehab start or two after laying off for 10 days. And given that his blister problem is recurring and not new, there is reason to believe the big club would prefer more certainty at the back end of the rotation.

I think we’ll get a clue if they option Luiz back to AAA before the ASB, allowing him to continue to stretch back out.

As for any other youngsters, it would seem the org doesn’t want to throw any more rookies into the playoff push. I’m glad for that. But that said, there is some rumbling that Touki will get at least a month in AAA and then be considered for a major league role. I think there is a subtle reason for that, which I’ll get back to.

As for what we know, you can comfortably pencil in Folty, Newk, Anibal and Dr. Julio / Mr. Hyde, but not a clear #5. So unless they deal for another starter, which is possible, Luiz looks to have a good shot to get back in.

I think the team is actually in a fairly unique and fortunate spot as they search for pitching help via the trade market. If you find a good fit with a starter, you can swing Luiz back to the bullpen. Likewise, if you cannot fond a starter, but you can find a reliever or two, you can start Luiz or (fill in the _____ with a talented rookie’s name) and make the bullpen your strength.

Having guys like Luiz and Touki, who can flex and give you multiple innings where needed, is very valuable, especially as the season grinds into late summer.

I’m just hoping the GM can come up with a/some pitcher(s) who can throw strikes and do not feel the need to nibble at the corners. While I can appreciate the Greg Maddox clone, it appears that many umpires do not. With constantly changing strike zones which expand and contract depending on if Blue likes or dislikes a player/team or has money on the game… There, I said it. I don’t always believe that all umpires are unbiased arbiters of balls and strikes, either that or they have vision woes that rival Mr McGoo’s.

Gil, yes indeed! I watched til 6-0. Then saw I think 7-5, glad they still won.
V, here’s a thought…not saying its a good one, but…HR King Ozzie 1st, Ender 2nd. Then he sees all the good pitches in front of FF.

When the Jays put up a 5 spot in the 7th inning, I had a sinking feeling because I saw it coming after Dansby fail to make the play which would have resulted in out number 3. Folty was stellar but clearly was tiring. I can’t say I blamed Snit for leaving him in, after all, the pen has not exactly been shut down solid this season. BUT, Ozzie sure did restore order didn’t he with a MAMMO shot to center in the eight. A good solid win for the Braves. Back in a first place tie with the Frillies…

Sadly, Shelby Miller’s career may officially be toast. I hate it for Shelby but such is the lot of every single pitcher. They never really know which pitch may be their last competitive one.

Yep, Gohara back to Triple A for fine tuning. Good call GM Vee…

At least the Braves looked like they suddenly woke up to the fact they had another week before the All Star break and realize they could yet throw away 3 months of hard work with a lackadaisical effort.

Yes, everyone is tired, imagine how the Blue Jays must feel knowing they are merely a sparing partner for the Yankees and the Red Sox. The Washington Generals to the Harlem Globetrotters…

So rest today and get after the D’Backs this weekend as they are very beatable right now.

I hate it too. Pray it’s old scar tissue….\
Amazing how some arms, a Roger Clemens, Nolan Ryan, etc can last for so long..
Justin Verlander. He was used and abused as a young pitcher, every bit as much if not more than Kerry Wood, and Mark Pryor….but he’s still going strong

I read where Freddie will participate in the Home Run Derby, I have mixed emotions about it. I want Freddie to do well but I don’t want him to screw up his swing.

I heard a thorough discussion about that yesterday on the radio (I was on the road most of the day). I was amazed at the data that shows that there are only a handful of players that really tanked after participating. But they got the press for the anomaly, thus it sounded like the norm.

Truth is, Freddie’s swing hasn’t been all that great for 2-3 weeks. Maybe this is what he needs to break out of is funk. #optimism

For some reason, I think it was the HR Derby champs were the ones that really slumped….I just recall one, Bobby Abreu….I am pretty sure it was 2004 for the Phils, just looked him up. 18 before the all star break, 12 after….and I bet he didn’t hit a homer for a month after the break….

WOW! DOB has resigned from AJC. Wonder who takes his place?
“As of midnight, Jeff Schultz (he’s the older gentleman on the left) and I will be in limbo. Well, not really, but gone from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It’s been a wonderful 16 years for me at the AJC (and about 30, give or take a decade, for Schultz). I’ve been fortunate to have two of the greatest bosses a sports writer could ever have in the late Fred Turner at the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel — that’s what we called it and how we hyphenated it then, so that’s the correct way dammit — and Ray M. Cox, whom I worked with at the Sun-Sentinel and the AJC. Three decades writing for newspapers makes me a true and proud ink-stained wretch for life. God I love newspapers. Folks, don’t let them die. Subscribe. And stay tuned for an announcement real soon on the next move.”https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/37215465_10214559220472862_4798497210104807424_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=535177d90cbc3a973f7d291aa1f3c84f&oe=5BEACC5C

Wow. Just wow. I haven’t “followed” him in a while because I got a little tired of his condescending tone on things outside baseball, but he was still a good source for baseball insider info from time to time.

Maybe we should have seen the writing on the wall, pun fully intended, with the arrival of the youngster Gabe Burns. Perhaps this has been in the works.

My guess is that DOB ends up writing for one of the emerging pay sites such as The Athletic, who may be fleshing out its own network of local writers.

I think Julio could have got thru the 6th yesterday but after losing 4 in a row, I think Snit was exercising an abundance of caution. Too many melt downs this season. Seeming safe leads not being very safe. Look at the Phillies blowing a 5-0 lead yesterday.

It is going to be hot in DC tonight and tomorrow night. Baseballs will be flying out of Nats’ Park. Good thing they will be restricting players to limited innings.

T Storms always a threat this time of year, I doubt the Nationals will call the game early due to the threat. Don’t look for the game to go long if it rains after 5 innings.

One other comment about yesterday’s game. Dan Winkler’s giving up a go-fer ball in the 8th inning did not bother me near as much a walking a batter with a 4 run lead. If you cannot blow a ball past a hitter in the late innings, you do not belong in the role. Having to rely on the ump to give you pitches to put the batter on the defensive is what results in blown saves.

One of Snit’s better calls. Ender didn’t exactly own up to failing to run out that failed pop up last week, owing it to trying to “save his legs”. I call BS on that, and so did Snit. We don’t know what goes on behind the scenes, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Snit dropped Ender in the order and drew a complaint. We know from public statements that Ender dislikes hitting anywhere else but leadoff.

I get it. I have things I dislike too, like a leadoff hitter with a .241 AVG and .312 OBP who’s batting just .176 vs. lefties such as yesterday’s ARI starter. I do like a guy, like Ozzie, who leads the league in extra base hits, helmets lost, and who runs like the wind.

Perhaps Ender complained about being dropped to the bottom of the order, and Snit relieved him of the burden by removing him from the card altogether.

In all likelihood it’s simply a response to Ender’s poor showing against lefties this season, in which case it was still a good call by the manager. After all, Snit needed a win, and it’s his job to put the team in the best position to get said win. If that means Ender has to sit vs. certain lefties, then so be it.

How bad did we need that win? How big a deal is that half game?

Well, aside from the obvious public perception, we still finished the “first half” a half game behind Philly in the division standings. Is that significant? Well if you play the old “If the season ended today…” game, we barely hold the 2nd Wild Card and would be subject to that horrendous 1 game playoff with the Brew Crew, who recently owned our butts.

This team needs every W it can get. It needs to win the division and not pin its hopes on the Wild Card. it’s called “Wild Card” for a reason… anything can happen. #outfieldflyrule

It is being reported that our big bopping catching prospect Alex Jackson has been promoted to AAA Gwinnett. It’s a bit of a mystery though… his bat hasn’t exactly screamed “promote me”, as he’s slashed an anemic .200/.282/.329 with 78 whiffs in 252 PA’s, or roughly 31% of the times he steps in the box. Maybe the suits are hoping he’ll hit a little better against pitchers with better control. It wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened.

To make room for him at Gwinnett, veteran Rob Brantly has been released. If you’ll recall, Brantly essentially hung up the spikes after last season, but the Braves needed some veteran catching depth and talked him into joining the band. He even made the Opening Day lineup when Flow was ailing. Brantly seems to be a natural coaching prospect to me, and I’d love to see the Braves keep him in the family in a staff position somewhere.

Maybe I’m trying to read too closely into this, but digging down into the system, I see that the Braves have both William Contreras and Drew Lugbauer at low-A Rome. Those 2 guys may be their best 2 catching prospects. It’s possible that they could be moving Contreras up to high-A where Brett Cumberland is catching, moving Cumbo up to AA where Jackson just departed. The current catchers remaining at AA are not exactly bona fide ML prospects.

So whether or not AJax appears to have warranted a promotion, it could simply be a function of spreading out the catching prospects to allow them the most game playing time. Lugbauer has actually played more 1B and OF than he has behind the plate this season.

The 20-year-old Contreras is probably the best real catching prospect we have. He’s the younger brother of Cubs catcher and All-Star Wilson Contreras. Already known as the top defensive catcher in the system, he has notched a nifty .286/.350/.424 slash line in 71 games in low-A Rome.

Agreed on the pay sites… I understand a person’s desire to get paid for their expertise but being a cheapskate, I’ll pass. Good luck to them both, ya think they would be willing to pay us for our insight? Asking for a friend….

Wow about DOB (And Jeff Schultz) For all of DOB’s “progessiveism” (The amount of money he spends on concerts, cds, food, etc I bet he was born with money, and a liberal fam, sorta like being born with a pa that had a white sheet hanging up in the closet, you are likely to share the same views of your parents) he really was a good baseball writer. If you compare the number of comments on his columns, even years ago, to other beat writers, it wasn’t even close. And I think he got so nasty with folks because he did stoop down to the level of constant nastiness the bowels of the internet so often provides. you have 20 people trash you by name every single day, you will get Trump like too 😛 (I bet he would hate me comparing him to the President 😛 )
anyways, I bet he and Jeff were not making much from the AJC, you don’t usually leave a safe bet, do you?
I too am cheap, but we are basically turning into millennials, which is something we should stop and think if we want to emulate anything they do…
If it was cheap enough, say $4.99 a month for the Athletic, I would likely join…

I do not begrudge anyone the right to charge whatever they wish for their product. Heck, I’m as free-wheeling a free market capitalist as you’ll find. But part of that equation is the right to choose what you want to participate in. And pay sites are just not for me. I find that with a little diligence and willingness, I can dig up just about anything I want to find out on my own. It just takes time and effort. And honestly, I have more time and effort than I do hard cash. If that changes, so will my preferences.

So in that vein, I hope DOB and Schultz rake in alot of cash on their new venture. I hope they rival The Athletic, who itself was a fledgling operation just a couple of years ago. I hope there are more of these type ventures coming out of the woodwork given that it’s the medium of the future, far outpacing the growth of the traditional newspaper, or even the digital “newspaper”. And hopefully as more and more of these ventures flesh out the new market, the prices overall will become nominal, much like it used to be shelling out a quarter for my daily paper from the corner paper box.

Now, free news you don’t have to dig up anywhere. Today the Braves signed old friend Lane Adams and recently released ex-Snake Fernando Salas to minor league deals. They are joining the AAA Gwinnett Stripers. To make room, OF Xavier Avery was placed on Gwinnett’s DL and LHP Michael Mader was transferred to AA Mississippi. (We used to call that demoted, but that is considered “insensitive” these days.)

Salas is a 33-year-old reliever that has spent time with ARI, LAA and STL. He started the season with solid numbers, but has steadily declined since May. The Snakes DFA’d him to make room for another pitcher coming off injury. He chose FA over being outrighted. I assume he sees opportunity with the Braves. Looking around our bullpen, it’s not hard to figure out why.

As expected, Freddie exited early from the Home Run Derby last night, unexpectedly Bryce Harper won. I hope it does not jump start Harper for the 2nd half.

I went to bed at 10 PM which is my norm so I did not witness the exciting conclusion (sarcasm alert) of the made for TV event.

I hesitate to venture the notion but maybe this is what modern baseball has become, the heck with all the base running and expensive pitchers, maybe we should just have teams of sluggers going at it for 2 hours and then tally the scores. Sort of like Arena Football… but different…

I have not watched the HRD in years, but tuned in last night because of Freddie, and I have to admit I really enjoyed it. I did hang around until the end, and believe it or not, it was “exciting”.

They changed the format a couple of years back – as I learned last night – to make the rounds timed. And this year they paired hitters head-to-head in a bracket format.

I gotta tell ya, I really liked it and was locked in through the final round. And in that final round, Harper was just not locked in early. It didn’t help that his dad (his pitcher, which in itself is really cool) was throwing bad pitches. But with about 90 seconds left in his 4 minute round and down by more than half his opponent’s total, something clicked and he just started launching bomb after bomb. And they weren’t cheap either.

I know he’s hated by many… maybe on here. But I’d sure love to see him with a script A on his cap roaming RF in SunTrust Park.

Glad to make this official: I’ve moved to The Athletic to cover the #Braves for the new Atlanta bureau launching today. I hope you’ll join us as a subscriber. It should be a great ride. https://t.co/84vP4aPJJN

I must admit, after reading about the new The Athletic Atlanta, it is awfully tempting to subscribe… at least at the discounted price. Not saying I am about to do it, but at least it’s making me think about it.

Hopefully the Manny Machado circus will be over soon and the rest of the trade season can commence.

This according to Buster Olney: Sources: The Orioles have structure of a deal in place, and are going through the medicals/paperwork portion of the transaction. Dodgers have been very invested in their pursuit of Machado, as have the Phillies and other teams, but this in not finished yet.

And that follows an earlier tweet by the O’s beat writer Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun who tweeted this morning that a deal was likely to be wrapped up “over next 72 hours”.

As to whom is the receiving team… well, it depends on who is reporting. One minute it’s the Phillies, the next it’s the Dodgers. It could be either or neither, because no one really knows at this point. It wouldn’t surprise me if the team’s name should leak out soon, though. Too many people are trying to get the scoop on it, and there will be somebody who leaks it for a favor of some sort.

I sure hope it’s the Dodgers, though. Like Manny or not, he could be the difference maker in this season’s NL East race.

Jon Heyman seems to believe that the Dodgers are the leaders in the Manny Machado race, even talking specifics.

Tweets from the last couple of hours:

Top dodgers OF prospect Yusniel Diaz could be in play in potential Machado deal. Hit 2 bombs in futures game. If so, that may be hard to beat. As said, Dodgers lead as they head toward finish line.

If Dodgers complete Machado deal (and they lead), they could move Taylor to 2B, Muncy to 1B and Bellinger to the stacked OF. That’d be quite a lineup. Also, if top OF prospect Yusniel Diaz is in deal, their rep as stingy with prospects goes out the window.

Sources: top OF prospect Yusniel Diaz is indeed in the Dodgers’ Machado offer currently on table.

Please, please, please. Keep him away from Philly.

Speaking of Philly, Heyman offers this up as well:

Assuming Phillies don’t land Manny now, they’ll still be targeting a SS, preferably one who’s a threat with bat. Eduardo Escobar could make sense. Most SS potentially on market are glove guys: Iglesias, Alcides, Rojas, old friend Galvis, Hechavarria.

The Baltimore Orioles, barring a last minute snag, will trade All-Star shortstop Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, according to a baseball official with direct knowledge of the deal.

The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the trade has not been finalized.

… and because they were entrusted with the secret by their boss. We knew the name would surface. Secrecy and trust are values of the past. As is respect for authority.

I’m pretty sure Boris is licking his chops (no pun intended) at the thought of the bidding war which will take place this winter for Bryce’s services.

Personally, I would be torn between Harper and possibly adding DeGrom. Both would be in the same territory monetarily.

The Braves are also going to need a catcher.

There are prospects in the minors but few are position players. Will need to trade pitching prospects to acquire players not available thru free agency. I think I will look up who is coming on the market next season

Can report with more certainty: Machado to #Dodgers happening. Among remaining questions, in addition to specifics of return beyond OF Yusniel Diaz: How much money, if any, #Orioles will send #Dodgers to secure a better package and help ease LAD’s luxury-tax concerns.

After a down year, do you think Bryce will sign for 1 more year in DC?
or will Borarse act like he’s the best player in baseball, and 40 Mil per year for a decade?
I’m all for having great players, but Manny or Bryce are going to take up what, 25, 30% of a teams payroll right? If one was going to spend that kind of moola, wouldn’t you rather spend 20 mil on a right fielder, and 20 mil on a starter? Of course, having the moola doesn’t mean there are guys out there worth 20 mil…..

After a down year, do you think Bryce will sign for 1 more year in DC?

No. Not a chance. He’ll still get his big deal. I do think if he continues this course for the rest of the season that he will be costing himself a few million, but is $38M a year instead of $40M a year really gonna hurt? And does anyone really think he’ll continue to slump for the rest of the year? I don’t.

Yes, he’ll still make a mint because he’s still a game changer and those are so rare. Also, he’s just 25 years old… will be 26 heading into FA. He has yet to really hit his prime. Can you believe that he’s just 25? Crazy.

I don’t think we have to have Harper, but I can dream of him hitting those majestic shots into the Chop House over and over again. I do think we need a real solid power bat to add to the lineup. We’ve seen how much having a solid Kakes behind Freddie has helped… much like when Kemp was there. It just makes a difference all over the lineup to have the right guys in the right place. And adding a 30+ HR guy to the lineup at cleanup just balances the whole thing out.

We know we need another starter, but I think we’ll add that in the next 2 weeks. We know we need bullpen help, but I think we;ll add that also in the next 2 weeks. I also think our own stock will add to both of those. Pitching is not something I’m concerned about long term.

But hitting?

We’ll have an immediate need for 2 lineup additions at season’s end. We have to fill RF and we have to fill C. And neither is going to be filled from within. Dustin Peterson is having a nice year in AAA, but he’s not going to fill the RF/cleanup hole. Cristian Pache is a quick riser, but he’s still a couple of years away, and won’t fill the cleanup need.

No we need a bopper and a receiver right away that will have to come from the outside. Well, unless you add a game changer to RF and keep going year to year with one or both of Flow and Zuk. That would work for me. 😀

The only question remaining is what time is the announcement made about him going to LA?

I had to chuckle a little at Matt Kemp playing dumb during the game last night when confronted directly by Ken Rosenthal. It was a classic case of words saying “I don’t know anything” but face saying “I know everything”.

BTW- Rosey has been all over this, and didn’t dance around it at all last night, even asking Manny directly. Naturally Manny sidestepped it completely. But big cred to Rosey for getting ahead of the story and going directly to Manny, and even to Kemp. No hedging at all.

Yes, Bryce is one of those hitters who has light tower power but he has fallen in love with trying to hit 500 foot home runs making him susceptible to off speed pitches. Unlike the Home Run Derby, you do not get bonus points for distance in actual games.

My biggest fear with Harper would be if and when he hits his Andrew Jones wall…

Of course who am I to argue with what sells? Harper will earn appox $40MM a year while Markakis will be lucky to get $11MM a year for two more years. Oh the humanity, how will Kakes ever make ends meet? But, I digress, there are some power bats out there, likely they will be short termers.

Now Atlanta… Don’t be surprise to see Thoppy make an offer for JA Happ of the Jays, or maybe Stodeman, neither would be that pricey. I think the brass in Atlanta want to see how the homeboys fare against the Nats and LA this week before going all in on a rental.

No one in Braves Country should ever forget how disastrous long term the Texiera trade was for Atlanta. As much as I want the Braves to win right now, I know there are times you have to resist the impulse buying.

I think the brass in Atlanta want to see how the homeboys fare against the Nats and LA this week before going all in on a rental.

My opinion, for what it’s worth…

The 2018 Atlanta Braves are an over-achieving team. I think they are much closer to the .500 team they’ve been over the last month or so than the WS contender they were for most of April through mid-June. We had Kakes finding his power, Freddie hitting anything in his Zip Code, Ozzie playing out of his mind, Dansby hitting over .300, Johan channeling Mike Moustakas, RAJ looking like the phenom he’s been labeled, and Sean Newcomb doing his best Jon Lester impression.

Only Ozzie has maintained those lofty accomplishments.

Rather, they look just like the .500 team we had hoped for, poised for a run of success over the next several years as our youngsters mature and produce. That’s how I see htem, and I think that’s how Thoppy sees them too.

Oh, I absolutely believe that he’ll add to this team. He has to. He owes it to the players as much as he owes it to the fans. But I can almost guarantee that he won’t add a high-priced rental. And when I say “high-priced”, I’m referring to prospect cost, not salary.

In my humble opinion, you won’t see AA trade a top prospect for anyone without it being a someone they team really wants who has several years of control remaining. And those guys just aren’t on the market this July.

Nope. He won’t pay the price for Brad Hand, Zach Britton, Raisel Iglesias, Felipe Vazquez or any of the other big rental names floating around. Not this year.

He might pay the freight on Cole Hamels or JA Happ, taking on salary to offset prospect value, although I think the demand on Happ is probably going to take him off the list. After all, he is an All-Star. But you might add Moose’s name if KC gets a little more realistic. I think pitching is the priority, but if the price is right, Moose is a fit on the field and in the clubhouse.

I’m afraid I have to agree on your assessment of the 2018 team. Now, if Acuna suddenly gets his head out of his ass and plays like the phenom we had hoped for instead of the rookie he really is and Ender rediscovers the magic stick he has shone to possess in the past and if, if, if… It is always what it comes down to doesn’t it, the ifs? Then the rest of the season can be magical but if the Braves roll over for the Dodgers, Nationals and even resurgent Miami, well, the pre-season projections of the Braves trading away Markakis and Anibal would more likely than not come to fruition.

Not that I want it to happen but ya never know, and then Thoppy could lay the failure at the feet of Snit and promote his first choice of Wash or Walt to replace him… Just saying…

Seems the MM trade is basically a done deal (IF the uber picky O’s med staff ok’s it)
did you hear the horrible, horrible, terrible stuff Brewer’s closer Josh Hadar said on twitter???? in 2011 as a 17 Y.O? Oh sure, he said crude things about girls…as a 17 Y.O. and said “racist” things (regurgitating rap lyrics that somehow weren’t racist originally) but, we must all agree, the brewers were correct force him into pc indoctrination , so he never makes these mistakes again….as a teenager

Greg Gutfeld made a very apt observation that social medial would be the downfall of our society. In a world where people go back an scan your old high school year books for dirt, facebook and twitter will be a treasure trove.

I am a much different person than who I was at 17. Even so, I learned early their were those who took glee in goading you into saying something about someone else and then ratting you out to that person. Made me leery of any type of recordings. Best was just not to ever say anything bad about a person.

Augular, came to Hadar’s defense pretty quick. I think the reporter who brought it up on national TV is a putz….

It’s a good thing that MLB had a day off yesterday. Every player needed the time to go back through their old social media deleting anything semi-offensive. I just wish someone would go behind the media slime that feels it necessary to perpetuate the “gotcha” culture that is the new norm. But I’m sure they never, ever said anything wrong… being all perfect and everything.

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? – Matthew 7:3

Now… whither the Phils? To whom do they turn now? Regardless, the division path just stayed a little easier. As for the Braves, better shore up the pitching and take care of the Nats this weekend or we’ll suddenly find ourselves looking up at 2 teams.

And Snit… keep the slumping Ender out of the leadoff spot. That will become your downfall.

Gil, I’ll have to take the experts word on the deal for the O’s….
Yusniel Diaz as V mentioned, had 2 homers in that futures game, but for the year has 6. in his career, 24 stolen bases, caught 30 times. so going to guess he’s not a speedster. he is hitting .314 and has a .428 OBP, so to have that good an eye so early is a good thing. Perhaps they expect a bit of pop

Ber, prospects are just that, some will pan out, some will be like Ruiz who hit a walk off homer for the Stripers last night. Quad A players, Dustin Peterson making a five star catch in the outfield. Just being consistent might just be the toughest thing for a major league player to be.

Vee, as for Ender, I think he is pressing. He is jump on the first pitch, making it super easy on opposing pitchers. I think his failure is in his head and it is affecting him big time. He was a fair haired boy the past two years, now he has been usurped by Ozzie and Acuna. That is life, like my dad use to say, “The sun don’t shine on the same dog’s a** all the time”…

I am officially P.O.ed today, I have been using Microsoft Office for over 20 years, paid for my license when I installed them. This morning some of the few files I still used in Excel had suddenly vanished on all my computers. I have several… Anyway, I have converted most over to Apache’s Open Office but one of my Excel files I had kept in Microsoft. POOF!!! It is gone. Not that the world will end but it is the principle of the thing. I guess they don’t have enough billions of dollars for Bill Gates pet projects… My message to Microsoft… Go eff yourself….

Vee, as for Ender, I think he is pressing. He is jump on the first pitch, making it super easy on opposing pitchers. I think his failure is in his head and it is affecting him big time.

Maybe, but if you look at the numbers, there has been a steady decline in his production since last August.
Aug: .362/.385/.466
Sep: .272/.342/.398
Apr: .276/.320/.319 *Mar/Apr. combined
May: .239/.314/.413
Jun: .235/.306/.306
Jul: .167/.300/.262 *12 games

But I do think there is something to the fact that Ozzie is on the scene and is the new flavor of the month. I’m sure it does put pressure on Ender to a certain degree. But ya know… that’s part of being a pro. Deal with it or move out of the way.

Anyway, I don’t always manage a major league baseball team, but when i do I don’t let my leadoff guy, my guy most likely to get 5 PA’s, my guy that sets the table for Freddie et al., be the guy with the worst OBP on the team.

Another reason why “when” is often just as important as “who” when meeting an opponent.

I seem to recall reading that Tony LaRussa use to tell his brain trust that he was more interested in what a player (batter) had done in the last ten days more than what their season averages were.

I thought it was interesting that Freddie Freeman said he never hits home runs in batting practice. That reminds me of why I always have thought of Fab5 being more in the mold of a Mark Grace than a typical fist baseman.

One has to wonder what exactly is going on with Ender. A nagging injury, head games, being found out by opposing pitchers? Regardless, it is making the gold glover very expendable at this point. I hate to say that because I just don’t know what the underlying problem is.

Yes, a good trade for both sides methinks. I guess the Braves did not have any catchers the Padres wanted… 🙂

One has to wonder what exactly is going on with Ender. A nagging injury, head games, being found out by opposing pitchers? Regardless, it is making the gold glover very expendable at this point.

Heard this very argument on the radio earlier. The talking head opined that he’d trade Ender in the right deal… said he had picked up vibes that Ender was a “drama queen” in the clubhouse, and pouted when he went hitless or was moved down in the order or was left off the lineup card, etc.

Purely hearsay, but could have a toe on the truth if not the whole foot. I hope it’s not true. I do have to say that I was a little put off at the way Ender made excuses when he was benched for not running out that dropped infield popup. I would have forgotten the whole thing if he’d have manned up and taken responsibility. But as it was, it left a bad taste in my mouth.

If he’ll keep his nose clean, his mouth shut and continue his Gold Glove defense, I’m perfectly fine with him batting 8th or 9th. Otherwise he might just bring back a valuable reliever.

I think at this point in the trade and division races, the Braves and Phillies are pretty much eyeing the same thing… Starter/Reliever or Reliever/Reliever, IF help, i.e. Mike Moustakas or Eduardo Escobar, and 1st place.

That’s why I think it’s not only important to want to improve the 2018 Braves, it’s equally important to want to prevent the direct rival from improving.

Example: If Team A acquires JA Happ, Joakim Soria and Mike Moustakas, leaving Team B to settle for Nathan Eovaldi and Freddy Galvis, who has a leg up in the division?

We avoided the Manny obstacle thanks to the deep pocketed Dodgers. Now we need to be pro-active and swing the advantage our direction.

Alot of eyes will be on Luiz Gohara tonight as he starts for AAA Gwinnett. It doesn’t hurt that the big brothers are off tonight. If there wasn’t threat of rain, I might just try to head down to Coolray Field. Alas, I am not a fan of getting wet and sitting through delays.

While I am pretty sure the Braves and the Nats will be able to play uninterrupted Friday night, I’m not so certain about Saturday and Sunday.

Today/tonight would have been a beautiful night for baseball, warm temps and lowish humidity but the beast will return tomorrow night with oppressive heat and humidity. Still, it’s better than playing when the wind chill is 10 degrees methinks…

Not surprisingly, Bowman is connecting the Braves to DET’s Michael Fulmer this morning, saying they have at least inquired. Problem is, so have the Phils and the Nats. This is one case where Thoppy might need to come off the prospect capital and get this one done. Not only is he a great fit for our rotation, we really need to keep him away from our two biggest rivals.

Bowman: “Fulmer makes a lot of sense here,” an AL scout said. “Everybody is looking for a reliever. Getting a top starter would allow the Braves to take advantage of their depth by moving one of their young pitchers to the bullpen. Fulmer is 25 years old and has four years of control remaining. Those guys don’t come cheap, but they aren’t supposed to be cheap.”

It would also allow Max Fried to work out of the bullpen, which should reduce the chances of blisters reoccurring. And that big hammer out of the pen would be a nice weapon.

Certainly Fulmer would have a big price tag given his age and years of control remaining, but he’s one guy that I might deem worth it.

I may bhave mentioned this onece or twice, but I believe that if they can pick up a guy like Fulmer, and a reliever such as Joakim Soria, they wold have the pieces to go deep into October.

Soria is on the last year of his deal and carries the balance of a $9M salary, or a little over $4M remaining. He also has a $10M team option for 2019, so he’s not a complete rental… especially if he stabilizes the back end of the bullpen. Given Viz’s uncertain shoulder, a guy like Soria becomes alot more desirable.

Speaking of Bowman, I’ve noticed he’s picked up his game a little since The Athletic Atlanta launched. Stiff competition, and competition always breeds excellence. Always.

You know, if I could pay their introductory rate of $3.49 per month on a “per month” basis, I’d probably do it. But you have to pay for the whole year up front, and coming off the hip for $41.88 just feels different.

I also have a little bit of a problem with them calling it “just $3.49 per month”. It’s really not. It’s really $41.88 per year. It’s not “per month” unless you can pay “per month”. Some may say that’s semantics, but I say it’s a marketing device, and I don’t like being the target of a trick. If they weren’t trying to be tricky, they’d be straight up with it.

Danny Santana was DFA’d yesterday and Michael Reed was promoted. DanTana just has not been very good this time around. And he wasn’t very good last time. In fact, he’s just not been very good during his various stints in ATL. I don’t think Michael Reed will be around too long either. We’re kinda scuffling for a 4th OF right now. Well, that’s not entirely true. Charlie Culberson has become our real 4th OF.

Y’all were aware that Viz went back on the DL on Monday, right? More shoulder stuff. Peter Moylan was activated to take his roster spot. It makes me quite nervous that we just swapped a key piece to the late innings for a guy that gives us 1 out at a time. It’s a little disturbing in fact. And at a time when we are opening the 2nd half with a very important series against the Nats in their park.

The #Braves have talked to the #Orioles about Zach Britton, so you can add them to the list of teams in the mix. Atlanta needs bullpen help and has a lot of talent in the system. A lot depends on how deep Alex Anthopoulos is willing to dig for a rental player.

Interesting. The local sports station is discussing the Braves and their need to upgrade at a few spots. Not a surprise. But the topic just honed in on the fact that the Braves and Phils are looking at the same players, and that AA has to look at keeping players away from the Phils as much as adding to his own.

Stephen Strasburg and Ryan Zimmerman have both been activated for this series vs. Los Barves. How special for us.

If we could somehow sweep this series, it would put the Braves 8 games ahead of the Nats and would essentially put them in our rear view mirror for good. I know it’s a stretch, having to beat both Strasburg and Scherzer, but it’s not impossible.

Hi guys, interesting observation about Fulmer, yes, he won’t be cheap but he is a proven starter so it will take some quality to get quality. A lot different than picking up a summer rental. Fulmer would be a guy who will be around for a while.

Wow, a lot can happen in just a couple of innings, now 6-2 after a lead-off Double by Acuna and a great bunt by Culberson then a double to right by Freddie and sac fly by Kakes. Braves clicking tonight. Now, just keep the Nits off the bases.

So, an enjoyable game last night, especially since I did not have to listen to Baghdad Bob intone on about the Nationals. A little dicey for Anibal early but he found his groove and Acuna leading off and Charlie Culberson playing the game of his life really made it fun.

My dream of taking this series took a huge leap forward with the victory. Gio is very beatable and Max Scherzer has revealed himself to be human at times. While a sweep as Vee suggested could be in the offering, I’ll not get too giddy over that suggestion until after the final out tonight.

Well, like I said, this weekend’s schedule was going to be iffy. I think the Nats are hoping they can find a window which will allow them to squeeze inn 5 innings because the storms are likely to continue into the night. The Nats are loath to give up revenue of any type so we shall see.

The Phils are trailing the Padres 5-2 but just lost Ramos to a hammy/cramp. I think the Phillies are thinking they can get back into the game since the fathers gutted their pen trading both their closer and set up man.

So here we sit just a mere 8 days from the trade deadline with the same glaring holes on the roster… pitching. Is that starting pitching or relief pitching? I think that’s best answered with a “Yes”.

As we’ve mentioned before, we have an abundance of good young pitching just at the precipice (FOB?) waiting to come through the door. Some are already in… and out and in and out, etc…

But to make my point, I’m talking most specifically about Max Fried, Luiz Gohara and the yet to appear Touki Toussaint.

Fried was scheduled to start today in Miami, a slot that was to be handed to Luiz Gohara until he stunk up his last AAA start. But thanks to the wet weekend in the nation’s capital, our rotation was reshuffled and Newk will make that start instead. And with the off day on Wednesday, we won’t need a 5th starter until Monday, July 30 at home vs. those same Fish.

July 30, just a day before the deadline.

It’s my hope that we will be sending out JA Happ or Cole Hamels for that start.

So why a starter when the glaring need is in the bullpen? Well, first… I’d like to think we can get one of each. But if I have to choose, I’m going with the veteran starter, and here’s why:

It’s my belief that the bullpen issues are better resolved with in house options than is the rotation. First, there are a handful of good relief candidates out there, but there’s also more than a handful of teams in need. And as we all know, when the demand is higher than the supply, the price goes up. So as has become the norm at this time of year, the cost of shopping in the bullpen aisle is a hefty one. And Thoppy is loathe to give away a top prospect for a rental, or multiple top prospects for a longer term pitcher.

But if we acquire a starter instead, you can pick up Cole Hamels, who has another option year remaining, or JA Happ, who would be a FA at year’s end, for lesser prospects if you pick up all of their remaining money. And you don’t block Kolby Allard or Kyle Wright in the process.

Then, you can take Gohara (hopefully) and Fried and plug your bullpen holes with them now. And you can use Touki, whom you’ve moved to AAA with the intent of bringing that big RH hammer to the major league bullpen sooner than later. He’s a guy who has seemingly turned the corner this season and is very close to being ML ready.

Whether or not the team can get Gohara going, you at least have 2 other good potential additions to bring in instead of Peter “1 out” Moylan or Luke “AAAA” Jackson or Sam “Jekyll/Hyde” Freeman and to help out the beleaguered bullpen.

I should have added above, as I’ve mentioned before, that pitching out of the bullpen will help to mitigate the ongoing blister problems Fried is experiencing as well. I’ll take either Fried or Touki right now over Moylan. Seriously. I love the Aussie, and he’s probably great in the clubhouse. But he’s not been great on the mound. That’s where it counts right now. And with the big sweep that Fried has on his curve, there ought not be a LH hitter out there that can barrel him up. And I think it’s quite apparent that we’re missing that critical LH specialist. In the NL, you’d better have a guy that get out those big LH boppers.

Yes, only 8 days and we will see if Thoppy is going to make a push or cede the East to the Phillies & Nationals. I know, the Nits are 6 games behind the Braves but I know they are preparing for the big push and in this topsie turvie season, anything is possible in the National League.

And when you have a team like the Athletics thinking they have a shot at a wild card… woohoo…

So, the word is that the Nats are going to make a serious run at Realmuto, an addition that could vastly improve their team. They have several attractive prospects including Victor Robles who is not so important with the emergence of Soto. His defense not with standing, he is pretty impressive and is only 19 years old.

Believe it or not, the Nits chink in their armor may well be their starting pitching. Hard to believe I know but true IMHO.

can’t argue with anything above…something needs to happen, but….call me a gloomy gus…I just think we are going to have a tough time getting what we need, without giving up someone we don’t want to give up.
Add to the fact there likely isn’t money available this year….it may be a tough few months….
there was someone’s name, someone off the long term DL, something, that made me go, woah! Now there is someone that would be an interesting “Get” of course, I forgot who that was 😦

Okay folks, another day of home ownership… Today it’s the hot water heater that gave up the ghost.
I don’t think I can complain too much as the old one is 26 years old… Hey, they either last or they don’t. Will work on it tomorrow… Biggest concern is the joist under it. No sweat when you can get around, a bit more of a chore when you can’t.

While at the local diner, they had a re-play of yesterday’s game… They Braves still lost.

Realistically, when you bang out 15 hits, you are supposed to score more than 2 runs methinks.

Anthopoulus: “We want to add to this team.We are looking for acquisitions on players we can control rather than rentals.Teams more engaged on the rentals. Hopefully we can get something done in next 8 days.We can afford to add a starter&reliever& a bat. We are open to anything”.

Three new names hit the rumor mill last night, courtesy of Bowman. Well, 2 new ones, and one I’ve been beating the drum on.

Bowman reported that the Braves had scouts out last night looking at LHRP Jake Diekman of the Rangers while also connecting teammate Cole Hamels. Problem is that the Nats have now turned their focus on Hamels.

The biggest surprise name is that of DET’s LF (and former 3B) Nick Castellanos. He’s a big bat that would be a great asset in the 4 hole. I don’t want to undersell what Johan has done – and to that end AA surely does not have to force a deal to improve there – but Castellanos would not only fill 3B this year, he would fill the OF hole for 2019 before becoming eligible for FA.

The 26-year-old Castellanos is a RH bat that is slashing .301/.354/.508 this season with 15 HR thus far. He’s averaging 20 HR per 162 games over his career and hit a career high 26 last year. He’s on pace to surpass that this year. He’d be a nice pickup if we can make a match.

It’s nice to face the Fish while the Phils are battling the Dodgers. It’s also nice to be back atop the division again. Of course, we get those same Dodgers in a couple of days. At least they won’t be at full strength as Justin Turner was just DL’d. But we do get Manny for a series. Again.

A couple of observations about last night’s game: 1) Newk was all over the place in innings 1-3, only a couple of DPs bailed him out. He was a completely different pitcher in inning 4-6, he became aggressive and began throwing strikes, it was as if someone or some thing flipped a switch in Newcomb’s brain.

2) Charlie Culberson really likes the two hole hitting in front of Freddie, more fast balls? He has become a hitting fool. Very, very impressive.

Last night’s barrage was not all that much different from Sunday except the hits were a little more timely. It was a beautiful thing to see if you are a Braves fan.

Castellanos ?? Well, that’s an idea… Normally I would say don’t mess with success but the latter has been fleeting for the past two months.

How about them Nats? Told you, their starting pitching has just not been all that since Gio’s dad got busted for using PEDs… The Braves gained a full game on the entire division last night.

The antithesis (FOB?) of the above is Snit. Is he up on all the modern metrics? I think he’s trying. Is he the most brilliant strategist? Maybe not the most brilliant, but he knows alot of baseball. He’s been around the game longer than some managers have been alive.

But all that doesn’t matter. He’s a true leader. And players will follow a leader. Just ask Bobby Cox. Oh wait… somebody did.

Bobby told Jeff Schultz (now of The Athletic): “He’s great. He’s as good as any manager out there, and I’ll stand behind that forever. You’re asking my opinion about what kind of manager Snit is, and I’d put him up against anybody as far as strategy goes and in terms of how much the players love him and are willing to play for him. Anybody.”

Bobby went on to say: “You can question (Sam Freeman) being brought in and all that, but that’s BS. I brought Gene Garber in a game once and Knucksie (Phil Niekro) had a one-run lead in the ninth inning, and Garb was going really bad but then he got going. You do those things as manager.”

And there’s the infamous Kelly Johnson loyalty. Kelly ended up with a long successful career. He could have been shattered early, but Bobby knew what he was doing.

The bottom line is that you manage games by managing people. You can make a mistake in a game. That happens. That can be corrected. But if you make a mistake with people, you lose ’em. And you get the Nats.

Yes Vee, I really like Martinez but like every other occupation, having the right guy in charge makes all the difference. Young guys normally need a strong hand to keep them on track while older guys need to the boss to stay out of their way as they do their job. It is the guys in the transition who resent the hands off guy as well as the iron fisted.

I would suggest every manager have a degree in psychology but then they would all just sit around posing what ifs and how does that make you feel the whole game.

Some managers are good at getting the best out of each player but I have found you cannot treat every player the same. Some need their egos stoked, some need them reigned in. It is the tuned in manager who can get the most out of each player and why some players need the proverbial (change of scenery) because as we all know, “you can be the sweetest, juiciest plum God ever created but some people just don’t like plums”…

I was a little surprised Snit elevated RAJ to leadoff when RAJ was scuffling so badly. He had to make some kind of adjustment with the even greater struggling Ender, right? But to bat RAJ leadoff and keep Ozzie at #2? I didn’t get that at all.

But can you argue the results? Not only has RAJ taken off, Ender has flourished back in the 7-hole as well. And RAJ just might be the most dynamic leadoff hitter since… Ricky Henderson.

So unlike teammate Luiz Gohara, Max Fried took advantage of his 1st rehab start last night to solidify his status by pitching 6.2 shutout innings and giving up just 1 H while racking up 10 K’s vs. just 1 BB. I’d call that fairly successful.

I guess we should suspected it would be a long day for Julio when he gave up a 2 run homer in the 1st inning. However, he continued to roll downhill at warp speed. I guess he had a rough night at the Clevelander.

and that was an excellent game….to miss….
I do wish I had the choice to listen via my phone/and blutooth at work, but alas….tunein wants moola….I might join the Athletic someday, but I will never pay for what was over the air radio….

I fear Thoppy is hoping to catch lightning in a bottle again with another Anibal Sanchez type acquisition.

A front line starter does not just drop out of the sky everyday. It will cost you. Either in prospects or money or both. I cannot blame a team for try to extract as much as they can for what they have. Think the Braves wouldn’t do the same if they were sellers?

So, what to do? SIGH! Hope the Braves brain trust has the smarts to get the team over the top. Realistically though, this team does not have the pitching to go deep in the play-offs. Not unless some of the kids suddenly find themselves….

Funny how a conversation can trigger a memory, I recall listening to the World Series with Bob Gibson pitching while in study hall with the ear bud for a little 6 transistor radio run inside my shirt… Wow, how times have changed… No daytime WS games… LOL

One more starter off the board… Nathan Eovaldi goes to the BoSox. I wasn’t enthralled by Eovaldi, but with each name that goes off the board and the supply lessens, the price of those remaining goes up.

Well, the original idea was to move him up to AAA for a few starts before using him out of our bullpen. But Touki may be forcing them to rethink that. I would have to think that Allard would get the callup as a starter before Touki, though.

All that said, the way their start dates line up has a bearing as well. That’s how Fried got his first callup directly from AA. His rest days lined up better than other options at the time.

Speaking of Fried, I’m almost positive he’ll get the start on Monday vs. the Marlins unless Snit decides to push Julio back a day and start Fried on Sunday vs. the Dodgers, which would be his regular rest.

Pros: “Bad Julio” against the Dodger lineup could be ugly.

Cons: Julio would have to face the same Marlin lineup twice in a row within 6 days… which could be ugly.

Jerry Crasnick, ESPN: I checked further on this. The Braves interest in Moustakas is minimal at best. They’re happy with Camargo at 3B, and the deadline focus remains pitching. There’s also the question of how Moustakas would adapt to a bench role. Barring an injury in Atlanta, there’s no fit.

I have to agree. Camargo has won me over. Prototypical? No. But is he that much different than say… Terry Pendleton? You may sacrifice a little power for his superior defense, but the tradeoff is worth it to our young pitchers. And he is leading the team in RBI over the last month or so.

Bowman, MLB.com: The Rays have had a scout following the Braves’ Minor League prospects over the past few weeks. Though the asking price would likely be steep, Blake Snell would be the most desirable starting pitcher in Tampa Bay’s system. But the more likely target would be Chris Archer, who could be controlled through 2021.

First, Blake Snell hit the DL on Monday with “left shoulder fatigue”. (He did have an MRI and has been cleared of any structural damage.) But you can bet your house that Thoppy won’t trade for another pitcher with shoulder fatigue. He has enough of those already. No, the longstanding target for ATL even before Thoppy replaced Coppy has been Archer. And now that his numbers have dropped, his price has as well. The time might be right. Personally, I’m not concerned about his numbers. I think he’s a product of the team and the environment. Bring him to a contender (and the NL) and I believe he’ll be back to his former All-Star self.

Me, here: Thoppy will make a move. Probably two. I anticipate a starter and a reliever, maybe in the same deal.

The candidates are dropping off the board. Starter Nathan Eovaldi went to the Red Sox yesterday. Also yesterday Jays’ closer Seunghwan Oh went to the Rockies and Rays’ reliever Matt Andriese went to the D-backs.Both had been connected to the Braves. That follows Zach Britton going to the Yankees on Tuesday. And it was reported last night that the Jays were “close” to a deal for JA Happ, with the ever present Yankees being the rumored partner again. And Cole Hamels is pitching himself off the trade market. I’ve been banging his drum for weeks, but not anymore. His best redeeming quality at the moment is that he is an “innings eater”. That’s fine if you don’t need wins. We need wins.

So the dominoes are now rolling in full force. I think that the Rays will trade Archer now. And I think if the Braves took back their closer Sergio Romo, a rental with decent numbers on a bad team, they might could get a deal done. Romo is owed the balance of a $2.5M 1-year deal, pretty cheap for a closer. For the Braves, he’d be a RH late inning option to pair with LH AJ Minter.

Speaking of Romo, the creative Rays manager Kevin Cash played him at 3B for one batter yesterday. Well, technically as 3B, but in the SS spot in an exaggerated shift. Cash brought LH Jonny Venters in to face 1 batter, then gave the ball back to Romo. That as gutsy, but I like it.

Another crafty move by Cash recently was to start Romo for the 1st inning only, bringing his young starter Ryan Yarbrough in to pitch from the 2nd inning forward. He said he wanted Yarbrough to go deep into the game, but didn’t want him to face the top of the lineup 3 times. He aso wanted to get a clean inning to start the game. It worked. Cash has done that twice now. Not sure how I feel about that, but if it works, who can buck it? You want 27 outs… does it really matter how you get them?

Now that the hot trend is monitoring how a lineup improves with each successive turn through the lineup, why not structure your staff to pitch 9 outs at a time so that the lineup never sees the same pitcher twice in a game? You;d have a bunch of 3 inning pitchers that wouldn’t have to pitch 2 days in a row, and maybe once every 3. Heck… it’s a thought. We have domes, turf, the DH and the shift. Why not tinker with the pitching rotation too?

Wow… I got way off course, didn’t I? You have just witnessed MLB ADD in it’s full force.

V, LOL, I know ALL about MLB ADD…and if you don’t get it out now, you will forget, and get mad at yourself trying to remember what you were going to write about….
good opining though! For some reason, I am bothered by relievers starting games, but what he said does make some sense….change is hard!

For some reason, I am bothered by relievers starting games, but what he said does make some sense….change is hard!

It is. Some change really chaps me… like the DH. That fundamentally changed the basic rules of the game that every player fields and every player hits. And replay as it is currently being used is terrible. More times than not they don’t chance a call right even if it’s clear the umps blew it. Unless there is clear bias, I’m willing to accept the human error on both sides of the lineup card. It historically evened out over the course of 162 games before replay anyway. I can’t recall a time when replay would have saved a team’s season. If they want to use it to determine if a HR was fair or foul, or actually went over the yellow line, then OK. But otherwise, let the umps be umps. If they didn’t feel so scrutinized they might do a better job anyway.

But believe it or not, I don’t mind the shift. There is no rule in the game that says where a player has to stand. And how many times has a manager brought his OF in late in a game if a sac fly wins it anyway? Or guards the lines? Or brings his IF in to prevent a run or facilitate a DP? Movement is just a part of it.

There’s also no rule that says your starter has to pitch “X” innings. As an old school guy, I liked the days when you went out and pitched and didn’t come out unless you were hurt or was just awful. No pitch counts, etc.

But modern analysis suggests that some of these new “trends” are based on actual anecdotal evidence… such as the way a lineup often improves against a pitcher when seeing him for the 3rd time. That evidence is indisputable. So why would you not want to mitigate that? As a manager, I’d want to put my players in the best position to win. Ha… a double meaning and another subtle reference to the shift.

Unless Archer is injured/damaged, I give it a full GO FOR IT in his pursuit. A guy like Archer does not simply forget how to pitch.

I’m sure most teams are asking for several of the Braves young arms in return for any property and it would take at least one of the Braves fair haired pitchers.

You would think the Braves could not find room for all of their young hurlers but then again, you never know when “shoulder fatigue” (cough: Julio) will strike.

The Nationals thought their starting staff was solid going into the season but other than Max Scherzer it has been anything but. The Nits have some pretty stout position players in their minor leagues but their stock of young arms are not as deep mainly because they did not feel they had a real need.

More trade chatter. Ken Rosenthal is suggesting today that the Jays are considering moving “controllable pieces such as RH starter Marcus Stroman, 27, and closer Roberto Osuna, 23, both of whom the team could keep for two additional seasons, and both of whom – for entirely different reasons – are at less than peak value”.

Obviously Stroman and/or Osuna would be costly, but given Stroman’s early season injuries and earlier control problems, and given Osuna’s current suspension for Domestic Violence (he is eligible to return Aug. 5), they would still come at a certain discount. They would also represent the type of controllable pitchers that Thoppy is seeking. Yes, that would the the same Thoppy that still has close ties to the Jays organization.

Stroman has been on a roll of late, too. His velocity is back as is his control. So his total season numbers look worse than his recent performance.

It’s being reported on radio this morning that the Braves have had scouts following the Reds for several days, presumably looking at their bullpen. Of course, several other teams are doing the same thing.

More digging shows that closer Raisel Iglesias, Amir Garrett, David Hernandez and Jared Hughes could all be made available by the Reds for the right price, although JP Morosi says Garrett is off the table.

Sources: The Washington Nationals have started discussions with teams to gauge interest if they decide to sell. Of particular interest are Kelvin Herrera, Shawn Kelley and Ryan Madson, three free-agent-to-be relievers. Nats are telling teams they’ll know by end of weekend.

Ironic that the “arms” race is also going on between the 2 teams. That said, it does seem they are seeking different pitchers, with Thoppy desiring controllable players and the Phils going more the rental route.

JP Morosi hears the Braves and Jays are in deep discussions on Marcus Stroman. His numbers are down this year, but he’s been very good for his career. He’s also young and under team control for a couple more years.

The Braves and Blue Jays have spoken about a possible [Marcus] Stroman trade, sources said Thursday, although there’s no evidence of progress in those negotiations. Toronto faces little urgency to trade Stroman, who won’t be a free agent until after the 2020 season.

While Stroman’s overall numbers this season are the worst of his Major League career – a 5.42 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 3.5 BB/9 – more recent trends have been encouraging. In six starts since returning from the disabled list on June 23, Stroman is 3-2 with a 3.03 ERA, and he has thrown seven innings in half of those outings.

That’s more to his 5 year career ERA of 3.82. He’s also averaged 206 IP per year. Stroman would probably not cost as much in prospects as Chris Archer, although probably close.

More to the point of controllability, he doesn’t hit FA until 2021. His 2018 salary is $6.5M, so you can see where his arb numbers are headed, thus the Jays’ willingness to deal him.

If recent trends continue, Julio is due for a good game. I know, he has been all over the place but Monday is a night game and Julio has really been bad in day outings (he says he is not a “morning” person) I believe him, looking at his record in day games, he is not an afternoon person either…

Stroman, I could live with that, Archer too. BOTH! now that’s the ticket, could give them McCarthy and pay the freight on him the rest of the year.

More clarification on the Braves acquisition of Jonny Venters last night…

First, the Braves only gave up a $250K int’l signing bonus slot for 2019 that they cannot use anyway thanks to the ongoing penalties. #thankscoppy

Second, it is a nice feel good moment for the organization, and bringing back a guy like Jonny will do wonders for the younger pitchers in the beleaguered bullpen that are already there and those surely to come up. #yoda

Third, anything is better than Sam Freeman right now. #dumpsterfire

Fourth, I don’t for a moment believe this is the only deal Thoppy will make. In fact, I still expect another reliever to go along with a new starter. #waitinganticipating

Fifth, the corresponding move for Jonny’s arrival will be announced this afternoon. #firstshoetodrop

If you squint your eyes, you can sort of almost believe that the reason the corresponding move is being delayed is because there are more moves in the oven that aren’t done yet. Perhaps there are a series of related announcements to be made this afternoon.

I mean, why would they wait until this afternoon instead of letting Sam clean out his locker before leaving the clubhouse last night? 😀

Me too… at first. But only because I am constantly on the edge of my seat anticipating something more impactful to happen.

But after a night’s sleep and a more logical glance at it, I see why it happened. As you said, Gil, nothing given up to acquire him. And even though he appears to be a grizzled veteran, would you believe he still has 1 year of arb remaining before hitting FA for the first time in 2020? He actually has some of that contractual control Thoppy desires.

And here’s something else to make note of…

LH batters are hitting just .167 against him this year. I believe we talked about the need for a lefty specialist just a day or so ago. Well, this is the guy.

I remember the first time I ever saw Jonny V pitch in Richmond, hint: It was so long ago I can;t even remember the year but I could walk unassisted… It was a day game and Jonny got shelled. He went the required 5 innings to start the game I was thinking, this guy will never amount to anything.

So, many years later, I am reminded of how I can be really wrong in evaluating talent and therefore will never be on the payroll of any professional baseball organization as a valued scout… Of course, I did hit on some others like Marteen Prado, Tom House, Mark Lemke’, Dale Murphy, Brooks Jacoby and a few other dozens of ball players.

Question? Think maybe Sam Freeman could be placed on the DL for a bruised ego? Something is different about him, not being able to execute pitches. For sure, his being brought in is akin to throwing gasoline on a brush fire.

Naturally these are all just rumors, but you have to wonder why the Braves would have checked in on a guy who plays 2B and SS. This follows a report about a week ago that Thoppy had also checked in on Jonathan Schoop from the O’s… who is a 2B only.

We all know that Ozzie is untouchable, but is Dansby? Is that what nets a controllable front line pitcher? Or is it just depth and bench help?

My guess is that it’s just depth and bench help. Cabrera is not the defensive whiz he was a few years ago, especially at 2B. And we all saw last night with Charlie what happens when your defense is compromised up the middle.

The reality is that constructing a roster, and the continual tweaking thereof, is an ongoing process and cannot be looked at in small sample sizes. All these moves are inter-related to other moves. So until moves actually happen, and other complimentary moves occur around them, we can’t really know.

I am going to try to look at the silver lining here. If Sam is still on the active roster, that means Thoppy is not finished acquiring bullpen arms. There is no way he expects this team to actually be a playoff contender with Sam still tossing salad for us. There has to be more cooking than this.

If you are expecting Sam to be DFA’d when Fried is activated to make tomorrow’s start, think again. We’re carrying an extra bench bat with just 4 starters. I would expect Michael Reed (or maybe Preston Tucker) to be sent down instead.

Well, as teams move to shore up their pitching/defense/hitting, the Braves meander waiting for what, I really don’t know. The be honest, I do know, Thoppy just does not feel this team is worth the investment…

To be a little clearer, I get the feeling he want to make a splash this winter when he has money to work with and some of the kids will be ready for the show.

I saw the Nats go thru a similar situation when the fan base wanted the Learners to sign Andrew Jones. Washing resisted because Rizzo did not think the Nits were one player away from being a contender.

I know a major league umpire is a choice job and all and all they are pretty good at it be geez it’s frustrating to see pitches called strikes for one pitcher and balls for another. And they are in the same spot.

Well, as teams move to shore up their pitching/defense/hitting, the Braves meander waiting for what, I really don’t know.

Well, we really do know… but are in denial. Thoppy will not give up the top prospect talent for short term gains. I get it. And it’s frustrating especially when the Braves are slumping while the teams around us are improving.

But do we cave for a short term boost and compromise the long term health of the organization?

If Thoppy makes a “big” move before Tuesday’s deadline, you can bet the house it will be for a Marcus Stroman or a Chris Archer type player. And that’s about it. Otherwise, it will be a pitcher or player of more complimentary value.

It’s tough to watch this team go through this stretch after playing so well for so long. And it’s doubly difficult to see it coincide with the last few days of the trade deadline. But the truth is, we don’t need 3 months of Mike Moustakas. We don’t need 2 months of JA Happ. We don’t need 2 months of anyone. We need an established “ace” to lead our staff into the future. And we need our young stars to continue to arrive and emerge.

And we need to exercise a little patience while the fruit ripens… and not pick it too early.

V, exactly! And I am not convinced Archer is the guy…I think he’s the Rays Julio…just with better stuff….
Stroman worries me a bit, being 5-8 and all, but I would surely take a chance on him…
during the offseason even, who that is a true ace , will be available????

Yes Vee, perhaps if we had got our hope up and being led down the primrose path thinking the team was better than it really was. I get it, sometimes it’s tough watching the sausage being made, especially if you are the hog, but, I digress. If a trade is made for a front line (?) starter who can carry over to next year, it will all be more palatable.

The #Braves today returned LHP Max Fried from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the 10-day disabled list. In order to make room on the active roster, the club optioned OF Preston Tucker to Triple-A Gwinnett.

The #Rays trade talks on Chris Archer are "intensifying'' as the deadline nears, sources say. Still hard to handicap if anyone will ante up with the return Tampa Bay wants. It's a No. 1 starter type of price tag, and he's under team control through 2021. Multiple teams involved.

Fried was flat out dealing tonight. It’s a crime they couldn’t have scored while he was in. It’ll be a bigger crime if the bullpen goes south… again. Please Lord, dont let Sam Freeman in this game while it’s close.

It’s widely reported by all local outlets that Kolby Allard was scratched from his start in Gwinnett today and that Luiz Gohara is starting instead, fueling alot of speculation. DOB is quick to add that Allard is NOT being traded, and that he is likely scratched so that he can make a spot start this week for the Braves. That in itself sets off an entirely different line of speculation. Starting in whose spot? And why?

Then Joel Sherman tweeted Hear 3 Rangers scouts showed up in Scranton today to see Braves prospect Luiz Gohara. Atl has some interest in Adrian Beltre, but especially bullpen like Kela, Diekman.

Ken Rosenthal added: Hearing same. Per sources, the interest is in potentially both Kela and Diekman. Braves willing to move Gohara.

And DOB replied Good chance this gets done if Gohara shows anything at all today, long as other team is sure he’s healthy. Braves prioritized bullpen help in recent weeks.

If #Braves can pull off a deal for #Rangers closer Keone Kela, they'd get a guy with two more years of contractual control, who has a 3.28 ERA and 1.093 WHIP this season with 43 K, 12 BB in 35 2/3 IP. That K/BB rate looks heavenly about right now for ATL fans.

I’m told from someone who would know that #Braves did NOT start Gohara today for benefit of #Rangers, and that Texas scouts didn’t go specifically to see him. Wouldn’t have been time for 3 of them to get there on that short of notice. Might also be scouting Riley, Yankees, etc.

On the Chris Archer front, it looks like things are heating up. Depending on which writer you read, there are several levels of interest from several different teams. But upon looking at a cross section of reports, I have surmised the following:

Chris Archer is closer to being traded now than ever before, and the Padres and Braves appear to be the top contenders for his services… with the Padres leading the pursuit.

But as a word of caution, and as I read recently, no one really “leads” in a trade pursuit until a deal is made; it’s all fluid until the handshake.

I have forgotten what it is like to not have thunder rumbling in all four quadrants 24/7. And clear skies. Poor little Sam cowers in the small front bathroom; he’s so scared of the noise and lightning.

If #Braves trade Gohara, Allard or any of their SP prospects, it will be for a controllable starter such as Archer and not bullpen help, sources say. So, not interested in a Gohara for Kela-Diekman type deal.

What a wonderful game hurled by Newk today. Within a strike of a ho-hitter. 130+ pitches and not even pressed. After all the losing, the Phils failed to distance themselves and are only a game and one half.

So, that is two relievers so far added, add a starter and we might just be in business…

Just read an article by Mark Bradley about Newk and someone posting an old tweet by Newcome that was “[insensitive”.. What a chicken s**t thing to do…. The kid was 18. I’m glad there was no twitter when I was 18, I said a lot of stupid things.

We all grow and evolve, then again, some regress….. Mostly liberals…. but I digress….

Glad the stoopid liberal overpriced Mexican restaurant we ate at after Church (Ever hear of having to pay for Chips and salsa??????) (saw a hipster with an Obama shirt on as well, talk about nauseating) had some insane/what kind of drugs were they on when they invented this dumb sport…otherwise we might have stayed there to see the heartbreak of a lost no-no…glad the braves won though!

I know someone who is good will be traded , but man….Gohara could be the best of all the guys…mark my words, he will be better than Fried…
for Blake Snell??? 12-5, 2.25 ERA, only 25???? Sure….but it would take more than Gohara…but, he’s young, and that potential #1.
here me know…Chris Archer is NOT a # 1….he’s a CHEAP pitcher with good peripheral stats, that you know , are more important than ERA or wins and losses…
this is unfair, since some guys have only been in a few games, but…19 Rays pitchers have ERAs lower than Archer. 4 other starters who made 10 or more starts, have lower ERA’s. But, he’s cheap! He also has averaged LESS than 6 innings a start this year, in the DH league, so no pitch hitting for him….
he will be 30 in Sept. But…he’s CHEAP!!!!
His top win total is…12. he has 3 wins this season. He has an ERA of at least 4, for 3 straight seasons….is he a #1??? No….sorry, no…

Speaking of the Braves rotation, sources earlier today said 20-year-old left-hander Kolby Allard was scratched from his Triple-A start because Atlanta plans on bringing him to the big leagues. Tentatively, he's slated to start Tuesday.

Did anyone catch the HOF induction ceremonies? Just saw Chippers…just awesome. Didn’t seem to forget anyone. I had forgotten Don Baylor had died. He said Don in 1999 got him to believe in himself as righthanded power hitter….just total class….
As is the ceremony. on til 11 PM

Don’t remember about the line drive. Like I said, I wouldn’t read too much into it. And quite honestly, we don’t even know if he’s actually starting Tuesday. Just a report. And we sure know how much credence to put into those kid of reports, right?

But it does make me wonder…

Anibal is here on a 1-year $1M deal. If we are going to make a deal for an existing “controllable” starting pitcher, the sending team will have to replace said pitcher in their rotation. And more than likely, the sending team will be seeking some salary relief as motivation for the trade anyway.

Who loses their active and 40-man roster spot to accommodate Brad Brach? Unless a trade happens before they team has to make the move later today, I’m guessing it’s Luke Jackson. Righty for righty. Luke will almost assuredly pass cleanly through waivers (again) and be outrighted to AAA anyway. So that’s a safe move that doesn’t dost anything.

Should Kolby Allard make his major league debut on Tuesday, as is speculated, it will be against the Marlins here at STP. That’s a big plus for the kid. So the timing would be good.

Speaking of the Marlins, the Braves really need to take advantage of 3 games at home against those Fish. We gained one back yesterday, but still trail by 1 1/2. Meanwhile, the Phils travel to Fenway to take on the mighty Red Sox for 2 before going back home to meet MIA.

After the Braves host those aforementioned 3 vs. the Marlins, they travel to NY for a series against the floundering Mets. So the Braves need to take advantage of this fishy week of games and get back on top.

Well, CL… I can make another countdown suggestion for the now expired HOF box. The WAIVER trade deadline is August 31 at 4pm ET, similar to the July 31 4pm ET deadline time for the non-waiver trade deadline.

Unless some deal goes down that alters the makeup of the rotation, inserting Kolby Allard for a simple spot start does accomplish a few things on its own merit.

First, it gives Allard his first ML experience against a lesser foe on home turf in a game the organization has chosen. That experience could come in quite valuable if he’s called upon in an emergency later in the season during a heated division race.

Second, it gives the other 5 starters an additional day of rest, and when you have alot of young starters that have never pitched more than 150 innings in their lives, that’s a good way to stretch those innings out longer into the season. Additionally, Snit has shown several times this season a willingness to give all his starters extra rest when possible. During the hot days of July, that is not a bad thing. Ber… you said it. Anibal could all use an extra blow right now.

Third, it allows the organization to ascertain exactly where Allard is in his development, again in a somewhat controlled setting that they have chosen. Taming ML hitters is a whole different animal than dominating AAA hitters.

And here’s another thought… (I know, I have alot of random thoughts. It’s my MLB ADD.)

If Kolby Allard has a successful spot start, and proves he’s ready to contribute at the major league level, perhaps he gets slotted into the rotation and Fried moves to the bullpen. Is there any doubt that Fried could kill it in the bullpen? He would be a better bullpen addition than almost any of the pitchers currently available on the trade market.

I’ll even go so far as to say that Allard as #5 starter, with Fried and Gohara in the bullpen to go along with Venters, Brach, Biddle, Carle, Winkler and Minter might just make a tough group to get through.

From DOB: Braves LH prospect Kolby Allard will be promoted from Triple-A to make his MLB debut with a start Tuesday against the Marlins.

From Bowman: Kolby Allard is lined up to make his MLB debut tomorrow. This allows the Braves to start another lefty against the Marlins. Also will help create an additional day of rest for each SPs as the Braves are in a stretch of playing on 31 of 32 days

Which jives with what we talked about earlier.

More Bowman: There’s a chance Touki Toussaint could also be promoted soon to join Atlanta’s bullpen. So, there might be a flurry of moves this week

Hmmm… how did I forget about Touki?

So Allard gets a spot start to help the starters get a rest, but what happens if he pulls a Soroka and dominates? Is there a chance he sticks around?

One thing is crystal clear. Thoppy is not going to break the prospect bank on a rental reliever. He might if a controllable starter comes available, but I am getting the sense more and more that it just simply isn’t happening in 2018. Is it possible our sorely needed bullpen improvements come from the farm?

I’m beginning to think it’s quite plausible. I’m also beginning to think our own youngsters might be as good as many of the remaining trade candidates.

Even though they Braves made room for Brad Brach on the 40-man roster by transferring Brandon McCarthy from the 10-day DL to the 60-day DL, they still must make a move on the active roster prior to tonight’s game.

They’ll also need to create both 40- and 25-man spots for Allard prior to tomorrow’s game. And since we’re on the topic, should Touki be called upon, those same needs will arise again.

My guess is that Luke is gone tonight, creating the 25-man spot for Brach and the 40-man spot for Allard. Then Sam will go tomorrow, creating the 25-man spot for Allard, and leaving a 40-man spot available for Touki when the time comes, which might be when Allard is optioned back to AAA after the spot start.

At that point, the rotation will be back to 5 (Julio, Anibal, Folty, Fried, Newk) and the bullpen will be back to 8 (Minter, Winkler, Biddle, Carle, Brach, Venters, Moylan, Touki).

We mentioned Sonny Gray’s name the other day as a possible trade piece for the Yankees. Now it’s been reported that the Braves had scouts at his last start on Thursday. He hasn’t been great for NYY since being trade there last July, but his last 3 starts have been very good. Still, the Yanks might be motivated to move his salary if they are serious players for Chris Archer. They are right at the luxury tax threshold.

I think Gray, who is from Tennessee and played is college ball at Vandy, might be another guy who doesn’t fare well in the intense spotlight of the Bronx. He could be a classic “change of scenery” guy. He has the balance of $6.5M for this season and another year of arb before becoming FA eligible in 2020. He is somewhat “controllable”. I think a deal for Gray is more likely than one for Archer or Marcus Stroman. He wouldn’t cost nearly as much in prospect capital. But he might cost you Luiz Gohara.

I’ll even go so far as to say that Allard as #5 starter, with Fried and Gohara in the bullpen to go along with Venters, Brach, Biddle, Carle, Winkler and Minter might just make a tough group to get through.

V, This makes so much sense….so…why hasn’t it happened?
Gohara, Allard, Fried, etc are sooo young, they cannot go more than say 160 innings, anyways…

So, Lucus Sims gets an opportunity with another organization as well as Matt Wisler. I wish both of them well, perhaps their new pitching coach plus a change of scenery will do them both good. Preston Tucker has potential if he will learn to lay off the high heat.

Adam Duvall…. Adam Dunn’s first cousin? A three outcome player? I hope he works out well for the Bravos. At least a right handed bat available off the bench who is a power threat.

Nice turn around for Julio tonight, while some of his close pitches were not getting the benefit of the doubt, I did not think the strike zone was being called equitably. I don’t know what Freddie did to PO the home plate umpire but a couple of pitches called strikes were a good 6 inch off the plate.

And Bryce Harper… hummmm… if he were willing to sign a long term contract he might be worth it but I look for the Yankees to make a run. They need someone to fill in for Judge while he mends. We shall see what develops.

To be honest, I would rather have Soto. Obviously, so would the Nationals.

Here we are on deadline day and we have already improved our team… just not the way we thought we might.

So how impactful was the deal for Adam Duvall, who will now platoon with Ender, playing LF against LH pitchers with RAJ sliding over to CF?

DOB sums it nicely: He’s hit as many homers as Freddie Freeman or Kris Bryant over past three seasons and has 2nd-most Defensive Runs Saved this season among LFs

Of course he strikes out alot too. He is a classic power bat. But he’s just 2 years removed from being an All-Star with a 31 HR season.

And all we gave up was Matt Wisler, Lucas Sims and Preston Tucker? Do y’all realize they were probably hurting us in that they were clogging up our 40-man roster with almost zero hope of ever being ML regulars in Atlanta? I’m not sure how this could have come out better for us.

Now… starting pitcher today? Maybe a name from out of nowhere, like Adam Duvall was? Don’t sleep on Thoppy. The A-Train is rolling.

I hope I can have a productive work day today, but it’s not looking good. I’ve already found myself refreshing a handful of resource sites a dozen times or so. I did glance at my work email once. #mlbaddict

Gotta add Kolby Allard to the active roster today. With Adam Duvall coming on board, I expect OF Michael Reed to be returned to AAA. There’s really no reason to have him on the bench now. The only other possibility is Ryan Flaherty, who has virtually no role on this team anymore. He was useful as a backup 3B/1B, but Duvall fills those roles as well. I think he has to be safe, though, because he’s the only LH bat on the bench… for now. There’s still a few hours left to adjust that though. 😉

The more I look at this deal for Adam Duvall, the better I like it. Is he the answer to all our offensive woes? Of course not. But I believe each of Wisler, Sims and Tucker was in danger of being non-tendered in the offseason anyway to create necessary 40-man roster spots for Rule 5 protection. So Thoppy not only acquired a good power bat for the team, he also got something for 3 players who were probably dead assets.

Plus, Duvall is just entering his first arb year and is under team control until 2022.

Technically it’s still Ryan Flaherty, but realistically you don’t have one. As you said, stay tuned…

As for some of the prior rumored names – Adrian Beltre, Nick Castellanos – you can forget about them now. Both are RH bats. The Duvall acquisition kills any chances of revisiting either of those scenarios.

I need to scour the rumors to see what LH bats might be out there.

Don’t forget too, after 4pm today there is still the possibility of picking up a higher priced bench piece in August if your wiling to pay the freight on an expensive reserve.

Wow… the Rays have acquired OF Tommy Pham from the Rays. No other details are available yet. Rosenthal has the news. The Rays are not in buying mode, so this is extra intriguing. Rosey says Chris Archer is not a part of this deal.

It’s been a wild 12 hrs. First off I’d like to thank the Reds organization for giving me a chance to play the game that I love. Next, to the fans of Cincinnati, I’d like to personally thank you for making my stay in Cincy a good one. You guys showed a lot of love and I’ll never forget that! Next, I’d like to thank my teammates. You guys made it so much fun to show up to the ballpark everyday and compete. I am going to truly miss you guys! To the trainers, strength coaches and everyone behind the scenes that kept me on the field, I am very grateful. And last but not least, I want to thank the Braves for adding me to a great team. I look forward to joining you guys, and to help continue the winning ways!

Kinda shocked the Cards would trade Pham away…I read they have a lot of outfield prospects out there. Ok…make him part of an Archer deal. Odd…

speaking of odd…the Nats…Dysfunction defined indeed….
As much as we love the braves…do we seem unbeatable? No…do the Phils seem unbeatable???? NO! The Nats are 5.5 games back with 2 months of baseball left. Why on earth would Rizzo say they are sellers??? One sweep of the Phils, and right back in the race. Braves or Phils could just lose 6-7 in a row…
He has made some very good trades and signings…but, he seems like a live wire, and has said some stupid things throughout the years.

As much as we love the braves…do we seem unbeatable? No…do the Phils seem unbeatable???? NO!

Which is what makes this season so compelling. I believe the Nats are done, though. Too many side shows to the circus there. They should sell, but ownership won’t let them. I’ll try not to shed any tears.

Looking at Tommy Pham’s #’s , he must have cooled off of late. Seems like I forever see him getting big hits on highlights shows…

Adam Duval is hitting .208 this year…but, he’s going to a new team, and playoffs can rev guys up as we know…15 and 61 impress me…but, I am just a dumb ol’ school guys that thinks driving in RBI’s is a big part of the game…silly me…
and…as much as I have been trashing Archer, he too would benefit no doubt from a change of scene, a change of leagues, and…playing in front of fans cheering for him…as mediocre as I think his ERA and wins/losses are, he would no doubt be an upgrade over Julio T. Perhaps we can trade him in the package? I am pretty much done with him….his fastball is too hittable. if his fastball control isn’t perfect…he’s toast….He’s still only 27…might be too expensive for the uber cheap Rays though….

Adam Duval is hitting .208 this year…but, he’s going to a new team, and playoffs can rev guys up as we know…15 and 61 impress me…but, I am just a dumb ol’ school guys that thinks driving in RBI’s is a big part of the game

Splits vs. LH pitchers better, and that’s how he’ll play in a platoon. Agree he’s no Bryce Harper… oh, wait. he has better numbers than Bryce this year. Let me rephrase. Agree, he’s not Manny Machado, but he didn’t cost anything, either. And the Braves are a better team than they were prior to the deal.

as much as I have been trashing Archer, he too would benefit no doubt from a change of scene, a change of leagues, and…playing in front of fans cheering for him

Could not agree more. It has to be tough to play for the cheapest franchise in pro sports.

Back to Duvall for a minute. The sole purpose for that trade was to improve the production of the OF vs. LH pitchers. Ender’s splits are dramatic. He just isn’t getting it done this year vs. PH pitchers at all. And he knows it, too.

It wouldn’t surprise me if they did something similar at 3B/SS for Dansby. His splits are somewhat dramatic as well. Acquiring a 3B like Beltre or Castellano would allow Johan to slide over to SS when facing a LH.

First, while I have heard today that he is the Rays’ version of our own Julio Teheran, there is one major difference. When Teheran misses in with his 90 mph fastball, it ends up on Cobb Parkway. Archer brings it around 96 mph. And that’s not the pitch he misses with.

Reading this morning, the beef against Archer is that “he has the stuff of an ace, but pitches more like a 3” because he has lost the sharpness on his slider. That was the pitch that made him one of the best pitchers in all of baseball just 3 years ago. And that weakness has been identified.

So why hasn’t his pitching coach been able to fix it? Great question. Coming to Atlanta gives him not only the resources of a new pitching coach and staff, but access to Folty, who gained the bite on his slider from John Smoltz, who himself is known to come around. It’s more than just a “change of scenery”, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s a change of coaching, which is exactly what Archer needs.

Second, Archer is 30 years old, and has some much needed experience that this young rotation needs. We have some kids we’re pinning alot of hopes upon that have never pitched late into September in their lives… much less October. At some point the tank will run dry.

And third, it tells both the clubhouse and the fans that your serious about this team. Both need to know that.

If the cost is another non-prospect, I’ll take Harvey… IF we can’t get a deal done for Archer. Not an ace, but a veteran. And a guy with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder. If I can get him for a mid-level prospect, I’ll take him down the stretch with no long term commitment.

The O’s Kevin Gaussman would be a decent alternative if the price on Archer is just prohibitive. They are reportedly “closing In” on another deal. Gaussman or Dylan Bundy are starters that could go. They also have a nice reliever in Mychal Givens, but he’d probably be pricey.

To clarify, Gausman is not on the same level as Archer, but he also would not cost as much in prospect capital. He is a decent veteran starter that’s controllable through 2020 and should be able to give you 6-7 solid innings every 5th day.

I have to say, MLB reporters chase more leaks than CNN and the Trump White House….

I have to believe some of these stories are plants for click bait.

We have been on Archer for months now, but it is just as likely the Braves are giving a shoulder fake. I am of the mind that Thoppy is saving his prime prospects for a player like Realamuto.

If the Braves had not traded for Duvall, I would be clamoring for Dietrich and who knows, a flip could still be made before all is said and done.

I know Ber is very high on Gohara but I am afraid of someone who lets themselves get so out of shape. All that beef is hard on a body, take it from someone who knows all about hamstrings and groin pulls from try to push an extra 50 or so pounds around. For us fat guys, weight control is a never ending battle.

As for the package being offered for Archer, I think the negotiation is down to asking for a set of floor mats to be thrown in the deal.

As we enter the final hour, there is now a flood of speculative tweets. I will spare you all of the rumors and reports of who is “leading” on a players. I’ll restrict myself to actual deals at this point. Otherwise we’ll all go blind.